Avoid the pain of a nightmare Christmas

Editorial Department • Published 17 Dec 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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It's a nightmare Christmas scenario; the joy of the festive season being interrupted by a knock at the door when police have to break the awful news that a loved one has been killed in a road accident.

Sadly, it may become reality for some in Fermanagh this year, with 2009 having already seen a number of road deaths in the area.

A tough message is therefore going out from the various agencies.

Local police say they are putting extra time and resources into catching road users who put themselves and others in danger.

Leading soft drinks supplier Coca-Cola has launched its Christmas 'Designated Driver' campaign, which is developed in association with the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

And the Western Education Board is issuing a plea to pupils to "travel safe this Christmas".

Inspector Ian Kennedy, of the Road Policing Unit in F District, said each year police stepped up their level of activity in line with the increased of risk of collisions that result either is serious injury or loss of life, and this year would be no different.

"Unfortunately there are some road users who do not seem to learn from the tragedies inflicted on other families and still take the risk to drink and drive, to speed and to take chances.

"This behaviour is unacceptable at any time of the year, but becomes more emotive at Christmas. If they consider for a moment those families who will not share Christmas as a family, then they should also reconsider what amounts to their own anti-social behaviour," said Inspector Kennedy.

"Additional police resources and working hours will be deployed in an effort to detect those who are still intent on taking the chance, and action will be taken against those who are caught.

"The time of year, and the more difficult driving conditions of winter, should be enough to make drivers alter their behaviour. Unfortunately, for some drivers it will take additional measures by police patrols to achieve this," he said.

"Good driving isn't just for Christmas it is for all year round."

In addition, The Bush Bar in Enniskillen played host last week to one of the high profile road show events. The road safety campaign hopes to reduce instances of drink driving this Christmas by rewarding local drivers in Enniskillen with up to three free soft drinks from the Coca-Cola product portfolio.

Following the campaign's unparalleled success in 2007 and 2008 this year's Designated Driver programme will operate in over 200 licensed outlets and will include a special 'Cool to Drive' road-show in nine bars across the province.

Speaking of the campaign, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "With Christmas approaching, we have a duty not only to our own families and friends to ensure we are there to celebrate with them; we also have to ensure other people are able to celebrate with their relatives and friends too. The safest way to do that is to book a taxi or have a designated driver who will abstain from alcohol.

Further details on all participating outlets and campaign information are on www.designated-driver.co.uk.

Meanwhile, in a letter issued to all schools, the Western Education and Library Board has asked schools, parents and pupils to work in partnership to ensure a road accident free Christmas.

WELB Chief Executive, Barry Mullholland, said: "I must congratulate the entire school community over the past year for their co-operation with regard to the safety of pupils travelling to and from schools during the Christmas period."

As the Christmas season approaches again, pupils need to be particularly vigilant when travelling to and from school. The limited visibility during dark mornings and evenings, coupled with the excitement surrounding the Christmas season, can result in serious and sometimes fatal accidents at this time of year. Schools should, at pre-Christmas assemblies, make pupils aware of the need to be highly visible when walking along the road.

As well as using assemblies, schools may wish to make this issue the central component of a 'Focus Day', to further promote whole school awareness of this very important safety issue. Schools may also wish to consider other methods of promoting safety awareness. Material for pupils and teachers are now available on the new website, www.road2safety.org.

The area which carries the highest incidence for serious injury is when pupils are disembarking from buses. It is important, therefore for pupils, when disembarking, to take up a position close to the side of the road, at the doors, and allow the bus to move safely away from the stop. Pupils must only cross the road when it is free of traffic and they have a clear view to their left and right.

All Board buses are now fitted with seatbelts and pupils should be reminded to wear their seatbelts whilst travelling on Board buses.

Barry Mulholland said he could not overemphasise how important it was for parents and teachers to remind pupils, regardless of age, of the need for road safety during the Christmas period. He said: "Road safety education must be highlighted by all who travel to school by bus. It is equally important for children and young people who normally walk to and from school, to exercise the same caution. Christmas 2009 should be a safe and happy time for all travelling pupils."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 17 Dec 09

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