Shocking statistic revealed at Mayo Roadsafe Roadshow
Transition Year students watching on during the road crash reenactment at the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow in Castlebar. Picture: Conor McKeown
According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), a third of fatalities on Irish roads last year involving drivers aged 14-18 were from Mayo.
To address this major issue on our roads, AXA staged its 2025 Roadsafe Roadshow in Mayo, bringing together 1,300 Transition Year (TY) students for a powerful and emotional road safety event at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar.
Now in its 16th year, the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow partners with Mayo County Council, An Garda Síochána and emergency services to deliver a raw, real-life depiction of the dangers on our roads.
The event heard from Castlebar woman Hayley Coleman, a survivor of a road traffic collision that tragically killed her friend. Leo Lieghio, father of Marsia Lieghio, who tragically died in a road traffic accident, also shared his moving story. There was a re-enactment of a night out ending in tragedy and first-hand accounts from emergency responders who deal with road fatalities.
The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow encourages the next generation of young road users to actively consider the importance of road safety and the impact that dangerous driving, speeding, substance use and distracted driving can have on themselves and others.
To further support safer driving among young road users, AXA has partnered with the Irish School of Motoring (ISM) to provide the 12 essential driver training lessons at a discounted rate.
Speaking at the launch of the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow, Mick Comerford, Retail Direct Director, AXA, said the statistics show the risks for young drivers.
“For young Mayo drivers, getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time and learning to drive is an exciting milestone in their lives. However, with that additional independence comes a responsibility to drive safely for yourself and for all road users. Our data shows that young drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in road accidents than older drivers.
"The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow aims to provide young people on the verge of learning to drive with an honest and unfiltered account of how dangerous driving can destroy lives.”
Frances Mitchell, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council, said the hope is that young motorists will pay heed to the hard-hitting messages.
“This is a very hard-hitting and informative Roadshow and is aimed at young drivers starting out on their driving journey to adopt a more responsible attitude in terms of their own driving behaviour. Speeding, driving under the influence of drink and or drugs, dangerous driving and distracted driving can have a devastating impact on both the driver and other road users. The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow aims to encourage the next generation of young road users to actively think about the importance of road safety and to make the best choice. “
