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THERE was a serious car
crash at LYIT yesterday but the mangled vehicles and
bruised bodies were all part of a mock collision to
warn students about the dangers on Donegal roads.
Two cars were arranged to imitate a road traffic
collision and young actors carried out the roles of
the victims of the crash.
The Gardaí arrived at the scene first and carried
out their necessary duties, followed by the fire
service and ambulance service.
The accident enactment took place as part of a Road
Safety Campaign on campus in conjunction with the
Donegal Road Safety Working Group.
LYIT students' union welfare officer Patrick Brides
said the aim of the campaign was to promote car
safety both to young people and the general
community. "This is a results-oriented campaign,
targeting the key audiences aged 17 to 24 years old
both male and female in a manner that produces an
instant and strong response. We want to illustrate
how an individual’s behaviour can have a major
impact, such as wearing a seatbelt," he said.
The mock crash was also aimed at raising awareness
about the lifelong impact road death has on the
family and friends left behind.
Meanwhile, the Donegal Road Safety Working Group
used the occasion to launch their latest
anti-speeding campaign.
Road safety officer, Eamonn Brown cited research
showing a significant increase in the percentage of
cars exceeding the 50 km/h speed limit in urban
residential areas.
"We need to realise that 5 out of 10 pedestrians
will be killed if hit by a car travelling at 50km/h.
So the message is simple: slow down and always drive
at an appropriate speed.” Garda Inspector Pat
O’Donnell urged drivers to report dangerous or
suspicious driving to the Traffic Watch number 1890
205805.
The anti-speeding campaign will run for the next
eight weeks and will be supported by radio and media
advertising. |
