‘Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen’ Road Safety Competition
The local authority are playing their part to help reduce the number of road fatalities and injuries, and have launched a ‘Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen’ Road Safety Competition to help raise awareness of the risk.
Provisional road traffic collision figures published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), showed an increase in road deaths in 2023 of 19% when compared to 2022.
Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, 8 were cyclists and 3 were e-scooter users.
As of 29 February 2024, there have been 38 fatalities on Irish roads.
Westmeath County Council and Westmeath Sports Partnership, in association with Healthy Ireland Westmeath, asked sports clubs, community organisations or physical activity groups to participate in the ‘Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen’ Road Safety Competition to help raise awareness and risk posed in particular to vulnerable road users such as walkers and cyclists.
Anthony Wheat, coordinator of Westmeath Sports Partnership, said: “Westmeath Sports Partnership were delighted to be involved in the Be Safe Be Seen campaign and I wish to pass on a huge congratulations to all the members of the Castletown Geoghegan Foróige Club/ Youth Club on their winning entry.”
Cllr Liam McDaniel, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, congratulated Castletown Geoghegan Foróige and said: “I would like to compliment everyone who submitted entries and in particular Castletown Geoghegan Foróige Club/ Youth Club who showed great thought, initiative, and imagination for their entry which presented a clear and engaging road safety message.
“I anticipate further initiatives during the current year and would urge everyone to take responsibility for making our roads safer for all users.”