Road safety awareness campaign launched in rural Mayo

A new pedestrian road safety campaign has been launched on Achill island by An Garda Síochána, Mayo County Council Road Safety Office and Achill Tourism. “From scenic strolls to safe arrivals” is the theme with the awareness campaign aiming to get holidaymakers and locals alike to think about pedestrian road safety during the busy summer period, especially if walking on the island in the evening.

Part of the campaign sees a supply of free hi-vis vests and armbands available to the public right across the island. The campaign was launched on Thursday, 22nd May at Cloughmore on Achill Island.

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Speaking at the launch, Sergeant Sinéad Barrett said: "Road safety is a key concern for us all year round, but during the summer months in particular, there are added dangers with large numbers of tourists not familiar with areas potentially at greater risk of injury.

"This campaign will raise awareness for both tourists and locals alike to be safe and be seen, when walking on roads this summer in Achill.”

Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council, Frances Mitchell, said: "Mayo County Council are encouraging all road users and in particular those walking on the roads to think about road safety, especially on narrow roads during the summer months that will have larger volumes of traffic compared to other times of the year.

"The sun might be shining and the evenings long, but that is not an excuse to not wear a high-viz vest while walking. They are for your own safety and the safety of all road users; nobody wants a holiday to turn into a tragedy.”

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Chris McCarthy from Achill Tourism said: "We pride ourselves in Achill on being the most welcoming of locations for tourists, where memories are made that last a lifetime.

"We want to make sure everyone can enjoy themselves while they are here and do so as safely as possible, and Achill Tourism is fully behind this initiative to keep both visitors and the locals alike safe.”