EMERGENCY SERVICES IN Dublin have joined forces with South Dublin County Council and the Road Safety Authority for a new road safety campaign called Because.
The campaign highlights common reasons behind collisions and the impact they can have on people’s lives. It focuses on four factors of road safety: safe speeds and being sober, belted and visible.
The tag lines for the campaign are ‘Be sober’, ‘Be belted’, ‘Be safe’ and ‘Be seen … Because if you don’t, you could be…’
John Keogh, third officer with Dublin Fire Brigade, said: “Firefighters respond to collisions every day and our paramedics and advanced paramedics are trained to deal with multiple trauma, between outer body injuries, head injuries and internal injuries.
We are faced with multiple trauma following collisions, and sometimes, the hidden injuries are the more dangerous type.
The National Ambulance Service in Tallaght will focus on seatbelt-wearing as part of the campaign. Advanced Paramedic Supervisor Eoghan Connolly said the injuries a person who is not wearing a seatbelt can sustain in an accident are “horrific”.
“We see this all too often, and many injuries could be avoided if a person was wearing a seatbelt. When you get into a vehicle, the first thing you should always do is to put on your seatbelt, because if you don’t and you’re in a crash, you could be seriously injured or killed.”
Drink driving
Gardaí will be operating a drink dirving clampdown over the Christmas and New Year period.
Garda Willie Gaynor from the Divisional Traffic Unit in Terenure said: “Every driver is aware of the fact that it is illegal and dangerous to drive while under the influence of alcohol and they should also be aware that if they drive while drunk and are stopped, breathalysed and convicted, they could lose a lot more than their pride and respect.
The message is simple, if you are out socialising and drinking alcohol, don’t drive, because if you do, it could be the last trip you ever have.
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is leading the campaign, which will begin in early January and involve video messages on social media and in local cinemas.
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