Donegal football manager Jim McGuinness has kick-started a campaign to encourage motorists to watch their speed and be aware of driver fatigue.
The Glenties man and his Mayo counterpart James Horan took time out from preparation for Sunday’s big game to show their support for Mayo and Donegal County Council’s ‘Slow Down for the Show Down’ campaign, which aims to bring down traffic speeds on our roads.
The campaign asks motorists and passengers to make a personal commitment to drive at appropriate and legal speeds in a bid to tackle concerns about speeding in local communities and a special appeal will be made at the big match on Sunday for all the fans to drive with care.
Jim McGuinness said: “Speeding traffic is a prime concern in many communities. We want motorists to think about their speed and how it might affect others as they pass through our communities. Sometimes this might mean slowing down to a speed below that of the signed limit. We hope everyone takes note and thinks road safety when using the roads
Mayo’s County football manager, said: “On the football pitch, speed is a necessity – but excessive and inappropriate speed on the road is not ‘fair play’. Apart from the obvious risk of causing injury and death, it also creates distress among local residents leading to people feeling unsafe as they walk, cycle or on our roads. I am proud to support this worthwhile campaign, and I hope that local people will to help to make their communities safer places.”
Footballers and managers will be encouraging local people to make their pledge to ‘Slow Down for the Show Down’ and to decide every time they sit in a vehicle before they turn the key, that they will not speed.
Slow down for the show down is co-ordinated by Mayo and Donegal’s County Council’s Road Safety Officers as part of their road safety education and casualty reduction strategy.
Eamonn Brown, Road Safety Officer, said, “This is another opportunity to remind football fans about their road safety responsibilities. Fans should ensure the enjoyment of the game isn’t followed by tragedy on the roads,” Individuals and organisations should follow their football team’s example and make a commitment to ‘Slow Down for the Show Down’ and ask all their family members to adhere to the rules of the road at all times and lead by example.
Mr Noel Gibbons Road Safety Officer, Mayo County Council said “We want all road users to change their behaviours and make these changes part of their lives in the future, which will save lives and reduce serious injuries on our roads.”
Mr Eamonn Brown Donegal County Council also added, “We are advising motorists to leave plenty time to get to the match and not only to slow down but avoid erratic driving including overtaking and keeping a safe distance from the car in front of them. It is also important to factor in a rest break on your journey from Donegal or Mayo.”
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