‘Hard-hitting’ Roadsafe Roadshow returns to Mayo

Young drivers of Mayo were warned of the ‘hard-hitting’ and potentially lethal threats of dangerous driving at the 16th annual AXA Roadsafe Roadshow this week. 

The event, which was attended by over 1,300 Transition Year students from around the county, partnered with the likes of An Garda Síochána and the emergency services to show the consequences and fallout of serious and deadly road traffic collisions.

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At the event, which took place at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, students were shown the devastating impact of careless driving with a depiction of a night out ending in tragedy.

Among the speakers at the event were Hayley Coleman. Ms Coleman suffered a broken neck in a road traffic collision when she was just 17. Tragically, the 2002 crash took the life of her friend, Regina Moran.

Also speaking at the event was Leo Lieghio, the father of the late Marsia Lieghio. Marsia was only 16 years old when she was knocked down by a car in 2005.

The sombre event also saw first-hand accounts from those in emergency response teams who deal with road fatalities.

To try and support safer driving, AXA has launched a partnership with the Irish School of Motoring to provide twelve driving lessons at a discounted price.

AXA’s Retail Direct Director, Mick Comerford, spoke on the crucial nature of keeping your concentration when behind the wheel.

“For young Mayo drivers, getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time and learning to drive is an exciting milestone in their lives,” he stated. “However, with that additional independence comes responsibility to drive safely for yourself and for all road users.”