USI driving campaign aims to promote students' safety awareness

A road safety campaign designed to influence the State's 200,000 third level students has been launched.

A booklet which targets issues such as drug-driving, seat-belt wearing, drink-driving and speeding will be distributed to over 40 campuses during the first UN Global Road Safety Week which begins today.

Rally Ireland has lined up a team of experienced drivers to give talks to students about safe driving.

It is part of a five-year initiative between the Road Safety Authority and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) to improve road safety awareness among the age-group most likely to be involved in road traffic incidents.

Statistics show that males between the ages of 18 and 24 account for a quarter of all road fatalities.

Minister for State for Transport Pat the Cope Gallagher said the USI initiative could have a positive impact on persuading young people to slow down - speeding accounts for 40 per cent of all fatal accidents.

"Their actions in raising awareness among their fellow students will help change driver attitudes and behaviour, two vital elements necessary to make our roads safer," he said.

"Unfortunately, every county in Ireland has seen several of its young people become victims of road carnage. What a needless waste of life."

USI president Colm Hamrogue said he hoped the partnership would help students appreciate the responsibility that comes with driving.

"Anyone who drives a car bears a huge responsibility to be safe and responsible every time they get behind a wheel. This is the message we need to get out to students, now," he said.

Ireland will have two representatives at to the World Youth Assembly on Road Safety in Geneva which takes place today and tomorrow.

The UN estimates that road deaths are the second biggest killer of people between the ages of five and 25 worldwide. An estimated 500,000 of the 1.2 million people who are killed worldwide in road traffic accidents every year are under the age of 25.

To date the number killed on the State's roads this year, at 109, is 20 less than for the same period last year.