Mayo students see long-term impact of road crash

Mayo County Council, in partnership with AXA Insurance, delivered an emotional, hard-hitting Roadsafe Roadshow on Wednesday last in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar to over 1,400 Transition Year students from Mayo.

The theme of this year’s Roadsafe Roadshow was 'Consequences' and it explored the long-term impact that road traffic collisions can have on survivors, families, friends and the entire community.

The aim of the event was to encourage safer decision making amongst young people when using the roads, to actively focus the mind and think about the importance of road safety.

The Roadshow recreated a 'night out' that ends in tragedy. It featured a series of impactful talks and demonstrations to leave a lasting impression on the importance of road safety for the students in attendance.

The students heard harrowing first-hand accounts from emergency responders who attend serious collisions and road fatalities including Garda Michael O’Gorman (Mayo Roads Policing), Jason Keane (Station Officer, Mayo Fire Service), Derek Walsh (Paramedic, National Ambulance Service) and Dr Lisa Cunningham (A&E Consultant, Mayo University Hospital). Their presentations painted a stark picture of the physical and emotional trauma caused by such incidents.

Adding a deeply personal dimension to the event, influencer and make-up artist Hayley Coleman shared her story of being a survivor of a road traffic collision in which she was a passenger that tragically killed her friend.

Further powerful testimony was given by Myles O’Brien, a survivor of a road traffic collision where speed and inexperience caused him to lose control of his motorbike and is now in a wheelchair.

A compelling story was delivered by Leo Leigheo, a father who tragically lost his daughter Marcia in a car accident, whose emotional account left the audience deeply moved.

Following the talks, Mayo Fire Service conducted a live demonstration of extracting an injured person from a crashed vehicle. This practical demonstration brought the realities of emergency response to life, showcasing the skill and precision required to save lives in such critical situations.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Sean Carey, remarked: “I was honoured to attend the Roadsafe Roadshow. The show gives our young people an experience they will carry with them for life. The stories they heard are powerful reminders that every decision on the road matters. I hope that the lessons shared will help our students become responsible road users and protect both themselves and their communities “ 

Frances Mitchell, Road Safety Officer, Mayo County Council, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to AXA Insurance for their continued support and to all the speakers and participants who make this event a great success.

“This is a very hard-hitting and informative Roadshow and is aimed at young drivers embarking on their driving career to adopt a more responsible attitude in terms of their own driving behaviour.”