Macra na Feirme and the RSA (Road Safety Authority) have partnered to launch a campaign to encourage better road safety among young people from rural communities nationwide.
The partnership will focus on four key areas, including:
- The dangers of mobile distraction;
- The importance of wearing seatbelts;
- Be safe be seen;
- How to prevent driver fatigue.
Road safety campaign
Another element will be the education and awareness around farm machinery safety, with a special emphasis on knowledge around towing trailers and associated regulations.
The RSA will offer training to Macra youth leaders on creating a positive environment for educating their own members.
Macra na Feirme represents a rural community of over 10,000 young people with members between 17 and 35 years.
Its rural youth committee is leading out the partnership that will bring road safety awareness training to its members around the country.
Road fatalities
Mr Sam Waide, CEO of the Road Safety Authority, said:
“We recently released figures showing that 78% of road fatalities so far in 2021 have occurred on rural roads.”
“We cannot get complacent; early intervention with local communities can help us to tackle this.”
“We urge all vehicle drivers to slow down, be mindful of agricultural vehicles on rural roads and vulnerable road users, particularly as the evenings get darker and driving conditions deteriorate in the winter months.”
“We look forward to engaging with their members to raise awareness and provide essential training to help reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
Instil responsible behaviours
John Keane, Macra na Feirme president added:
“We are delighted to be working with the RSA to raise awareness of vital road safety measures with all our members.”
“As COVID-19 restrictions ease, we know that people are using the roads in greater numbers.”
“Macra members are getting back in their vehicles; we want to make sure they do so safely.”
He said the organisation is urging members to:
- Remember the dangers of mobile distraction;
- The importance of wearing seatbelts;
- To be safe and be seen by ensuring flashing beacons on agricultural vehicles are maintained and in working order.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Our aim with this partnership is to instil responsible behaviours in our members so that we can do our part to keeping Irish roads safe.”
A shared responsibility to improve road behaviour
Superintendent Michael Corbett, Community Engagement Bureau, An Garda Síochána, added:
“Gardaí regularly have to confront the devastation caused due to dangerous behaviour on rural roads so.”
“We pleased with efforts to improve road safety awareness and education amongst a younger, rural cohort of road users.”
“Each of us has a shared responsibility to improve road behaviour. We look forward to working with the RSA and Macra na Feirme to engage and educate communities at a local level.”
An Garda Síochána is rolling out Operation ‘Teorainn’, a new national road safety enforcement operation to target driver behaviour for the remainder of 2021.
As reported by That’s Farming, the nationwide initiative will target rural roads with 80km/hr speed limits.
