Gardaí take time out for pillow talk

Gardaí take time out for pillow talk


GARDAÍ in Mayo have been handing out pillows emblazoned with the moniker ‘Tired? Pull over and take a break’ in a bid to create awareness about driver fatigue over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The pillows, provided by local business Northern Feather in Westport, have been handed out by volunteers at various Garda checkpoints throughout the county. Mayo County Council has teamed up with An Garda SíochΡna to support the campaign.
More driver fatigue incidents are reported around bank holiday weekends, and Mayo road safety officer Noel Gibbons hopes the pillow initiative will help remind drivers to be well rested before driving and to pull in and take a break if they are feeling tired. “It’s time to scotch the mistaken belief that you can fight off sleep ,by turning up the stereo or opening the window,” he said.
Conor Faughnan, Director of Policy AA Ireland, was full of admiration for the pillow promotion: “This is a really clever way to highlight the fatigue issue. Make no mistake – fatigue is a serious killer. This is more important for Ireland now than ever before, as we are beginning to have long continuous stretches of motorway … At this time of year, when people on holidays tend to drive long distances across the country, the dangers of fatigue are at their worst. Take regular breaks when you are driving long distances, share the driving if you can and never ignore the tell-tale warning signs of fatigue.”
Castlebar-based Superintendent Willie Keaveney underscored the serious of driver fatigue: “I have seen too many horrific injuries caused by people falling asleep at the wheel to take this lightly. Sleep-related collisions tend to be more serious than other road collisions because the driver is unable to react before a crash. You don’t fall asleep without a warning. If you are fighting to keep yourself awake then get off the road.”