Mayo meeting to address road safety and finding solutions
A PUBLIC meeting is taking place this week to address the alarming increase in road fatalities in Mayo.
It will take place on Thursday, October 24, at 8 p.m. in Hotel Newport, hosted by Keira Keogh, Fine Gael general election candidate for Mayo.
The event will focus on the rising number of road fatalities in Mayo and the urgent need for collective action from the community and policymakers.
The meeting will feature personal stories from Hayley Coleman, who sustained life-altering injuries and tragically lost her friend in a road accident during her Leaving Certificate year, and Myles O'Brien, a renowned chef from Murrisk who was left paralysed following a motorcycle accident near Pontoon.
These powerful testimonies will underscore the human cost of road accidents and the need for change.
The event will also remember many of our friends and family who tragically lost their lives in road accidents. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that road deaths have on families and communities across Mayo.
Ms. Keogh highlighted the alarming trend during her local campaign, where road safety concerns repeatedly surfaced on doorsteps.
“Road fatalities in Mayo are out of control,” Ms. Keogh stated. “Too many families are being devastated by preventable accidents.
“Penalty points and lower speed limits alone won’t solve the issue. We need comprehensive community engagement and practical solutions to tackle the root causes.”
Seventeen people have died on Mayo roads so far this year - this is the highest fatality level ever reached in Mayo at this time of year. To date, 142 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish roads, down from 152 deaths at the same time in 2023.
The fact that Mayo is going against this positive trend is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for action, she said.
Experts from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and from the local gardaí have been invited to contribute to the discussion and Deputy Michael Ring also hopes to attend. The event will provide an opportunity for the community to voice their ideas and concerns regarding road safety.
Members of the public are urged to attend and share their ideas for improving road safety in Mayo.
Ms. Keogh emphasised the importance of local involvement, stating: “This meeting isn’t just about raising awareness - it’s about finding real solutions. I’m calling on the community to come together, share ideas, and help create a safer future for everyone on our roads.”