THE inaugural Kerry Garda Road Safety Educational Road Show Event, in association with Cara Credit Union and the Road Safety Authority, was hosted at the John Mitchel’s GAA Sports Complex in Tralee on Monday.
The event, was organised by Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick of the Tralee Community Policing Unit and assisted by members of Tralee Community Policing Unit and Kerry Roads Policing Unit.
This event was supported by the Road Safety Authority, Kerry County Council Fire Services, the Kerry County Council Road Safety Officer and the National Ambulance Service.
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It was attended by over 500 students from Tralee secondary schools, Kerry ETB, Youth Reach, the National Learning Network, Kerry Horizon Centre and Kerry College.
The event was organised in response to the ever-growing public concern over road safety and in particular road deaths.
In 2023, road deaths in Ireland rose to 188, an alarming increase of over 20% on 2022 figures, and road deaths are on track to rise again in 2024.
Of the 188 fatalities on Irish roads in 2023, over a quarter of these were in the 16-25 age group.
The primary goal was to continue to raise awareness of the dangers on our roads and reinforce the reality that driving behaviour can have fatal consequences.
To clearly demonstrate that respecting the rules of the road and driving responsibly will save lives.
As part of the event, students got to observe and experience exhibits which included the RSA Shuttle Bus, the Garda Vehicle Operation NEXUS, and Ladybird Diving School.
Students received a presentation from Garda Peter McCarthy of Kerry Roads Policing, Sergeant Tomas Barry, Forensic Collison Investigation, the Road Safety Authority’s TJ O’Connor and the Kerry County Council Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh.
Also in attendance was Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman for Roads Policing and Community Engagement.
The event culminated with the hard-hitting re-enactment of a fatal road traffic collision, providing students with the harsh reality of how it can all go tragically wrong and the real and deadly consequences that result.
Students received a car air freshener with the message from An Garda Síochána to “Slow Down, Get Home Safe and Put Your Phone Away” to provide a reminder to drivers of the considerable responsibility we all have while behind the wheel of a car.
Siobhán Donnelly, Marketing Manager Cara Credit Union added: “At Cara Credit Union, we are proud to support the Kerry Garda Road Safety Educational Roadshow. As a credit union at the heart of the community, we are committed to fostering a safer environment by educating our youth on the importance of road safety. Often the provider of their first car loan, Cara Credit Union understand the significance of safe driving habits. Let’s drive towards a future where every journey is a safe one.”