GAA fans called on to ‘drive safely’

GAA fans called on to ‘drive safely’


Áine Ryan
aineryan@mayonews.ie

THE thousands  of GAA fans due to travel to a major championship match in Pearse Stadium, Galway, on Sunday next are set to be given a special ‘drive safely’ message. Both teams and their fans will be in serious competition but they will be on the one hymn sheet as Mayo and Galway’s Road Safety Officers and  football managers implement a campaign prioritising reduced speeds and careful driving.  
Mayo Manager, James Horan said: “Speeding traffic is a prime concern in many communities. We want motorists to think about their speed and how it might affect others as they pass through our communities. Sometimes this might mean slowing down to a speed below that of the signed limit. We hope everyone takes note.”
Speaking also, Mr Noel Gibbons, Mayo’s Road Safety Officer said: “We want people to drive safely this weekend. There will be a large volume of traffic on the roads for the game, and we urge people to take care and to ensure that their trip to this great sporting occasion does not end in tragedy.”
This was echoed by Galway’s Road Safety Officer, Deirdre Caulfield who said: We want everyone to enjoy safely what should be a fabulous match. Many fans may well be watching matches in pubs and clubs, and I am sure the drinks will be flowing freely. It’s clearly important for anyone who has had a drink not to drive, but our aim is also to highlight that alcohol affects pedestrians as well.”
The dangers to pedestrians will also be highlighted in the campaign which noted that 50 per cent of all the road deaths this year in Counties Mayo and Galway have been pedestrians.
Meanwhile, Alan Mulholland, Galway Manager said: “On the football pitch, speed is a necessity – but excessive and inappropriate speed on the road is not ‘fair play’.  Apart from the obvious risk of causing injury and death, it also creates distress among other road users leading to people feeling unsafe as they walk or cycle on our roads. I am proud to support this worthwhile campaign, and I hope that local people will help to make their communities safer places.”