Mayo students attend Road Safety Education Day

Around 400 Transition Year students from secondary schools in Mayo attended a Road Safety Education Day at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Ballyhaunis.

Organised by Sergeant Derek Conroy, Garda Leanne Nallen and Garda Alan O’Hora, the event brought together An Garda Síochána, the Fire Service, the Road Safety Authority and Mayo County Council to highlight the importance of making safe and responsible choices on our roads.

Students engaged with members of the Garda Public Order Unit, Roads Policing Unit (RPU), Community Engagement, Operation Nexus and the Garda Dog Unit, gaining valuable insights and hearing real-life experiences. The Fire Service demonstrated the techniques used to rescue people trapped in crashed vehicles, while the RSA exhibition truck provided students with an interactive road safety learning experience.

Francis Mitchell, Mayo County Council Road Safety Officer, also spoke to students about e-scooter safety. Garda Hugh McHugh of the RPU delivered the Lifesaver presentation in both the morning and afternoon sessions, while Sgt Derek Conroy highlighted the tragic number of fatal road traffic collisions on Mayo roads in recent years.

One of the most poignant moments of the day was a pre-recorded interview with Fiona Ryan, who tragically lost her daughter Tara in a road traffic collision on January 25, 2013. Fiona shared the devastating impact of receiving the news of the collision and spoke movingly about the grief that she and her family continue to experience almost 14 years later. 

Her powerful message was a reminder that the consequences of road traffic collisions last a lifetime for the families left behind.

The message was clear – every decision on the road matters. Through education, awareness and responsible choices, we all have a part to play in preventing road traffic collisions and saving lives.