Mayo County Council Axa Insurance Roadsafe Roadshow Drives Home Vital Road Safety Message To 1300 Students
Date: 04-04-2025
Over 1,300 Transition Year students from schools and Youth Reach organisations across Mayo attended the Mayo County Council AXA Insurance RoadSafe Roadshow on Wednesday, April 2nd in the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar.
The Roadsafe Roadshow is a powerful event aimed at educating Transition Year students on the potentially devastating consequences that road traffic accidents can have on their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Sean Canney T.D. opened the event and addressed the students, highlighting the importance of responsible road use and the need for young drivers to be aware of the risks involved.
The Roadshow featured a series of impactful talks and demonstrations designed to leave a lasting impression on the importance of road safety for the students in attendance.
They heard harrowing accounts from frontline emergency service personnel who attend and deal with the outcome of road crashes, including Garda Hugh McHugh; Station Officer, Mayo Fire Service, Jason Keane; Paramedic Derek Walsh, and A&E Doctor Becky Azuma who detailed the realities of dealing with serious road accidents. Their presentations painted a stark picture of the physical and emotional trauma caused by such incidents.
Adding a deeply personal dimension to the event, was well known make-up artist and influencer Hayley Coleman who shared her own story of survival following a fatal car accident she was involved in as a teenager.
Her candid account resonated strongly with the students, emphasising the real dangers to young drivers on our roads.
A further powerful testimony was given 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.
Road Safety Officer, Mayo County Council, Frances Mitchell said: “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to AXA Insurance for their continued support, and to all the speakers and participants who contributed to the success of the event.
“The Roadshow serves as a vital reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for collective responsibility in preventing accidents.”