GARDAÍ have issued an urgent appeal to motorists to ‘slow down’ following the deaths of five people in one area on County Donegal.
All the fatalities took place in the Twin Towns area, with the Barnesmore Gap particularly dangerous, since January last year.
Three people have died on our county’s roads so far this year.
Extra gardaí will be on duty across Donegal today.
There will be a particular emphasis this Bank Holiday weekend on the N15, said the head of Donegal’s Road Traffic Division Inspector Michael Harrison.
“Five people have died in the Ballybofey area in the past 18 months, since January last year,” the inspector told Donegal Daily.
“Garda patrols and speed detection vans will be in operation throughout County Donegal this weekend.
“There will be a particular emphasis on the N15, but it won’t be the only area which we are watching.
“We want people to enjoy the bank holiday weekend, but we want them to enjoy it safely.
“Our message is simple – people need to slow down, watch what speed they are doing. The facts tell us that if a collision occurs, the slower the vehicle is travelling, it is less likely to cause a fatality or serious injury.”
Serious Injuries
The inspector said he did not want it to be forgotten that people have also suffered life-changing injuries.
“Two people have suffered serious injuries this year as a result of traffic accidents,” said Inspector Harrison.
“The devastation caused to families when a young person dies on our roads cannot be described.
“It is also devastating when people suffer serious life-changing injuries; it is heart-breaking.”
Statistics show that young men aged between 17 and 25 are most likely to be involved in road traffic incidents.
“I would appeal to them, to their parents, to get the message across that they need to slow down,” he added.
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