The road safety office and Oifig na Gaeilge of Mayo County Council and An Garda Síochána are partnering throughout the county this weekend to encourage everyone celebrating St Patrick's Day to act responsibly and designate a sober driver. St Patrick’s Day falls in Seachtain na Gaeilge so the message is "Go dté tú slán", or in English, "Arrive alive" which will be displayed around the county on VMS roadside signs. Also leprechauns are coming out of the woodwork to assist road safety professionals and the gardai in Mayo to spread the road safety message in novel road safety campaign.
In a build up to the celebrations of St Patrick's Day, leprechaun cut-outs/selfie boards are being set up around the county in pubs. The idea is for customers to get their pictures taken as a leprechaun, tweet it out or share it on Facebook, and create some buzz about not being buzzed behind the wheel.
No amount of luck can save you from a drunk-driving crash. Everyone must do their part to help keep roads safe this St Patrick’s Day. The message is simple, drive sober or get pulled over. Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council, says: “Get ahead of the decision this year. If you know you’re going to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with alcohol, then figure out a plan ahead of time for how you’ll get home. Choose a taxi, public transportation, or a sober friend you trust, to get you home safely.”
Marian Uí Mháille, Oifig na Gaeilge of Mayo County Council, said ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend: "Bhí an méid a leanas le rá ag Marian Uí Mháille, Oifig na Gaeilge: "Beidh Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ó 1 Márta go 17 Márta, agus is deis iontach í ár dteanga, cultúr agus oidhreacht a cheiliúradh. Ná déan dearmad - Go dté tú slán! Arrive Alive!"
Inspector Dermot J Butler from An Garda Síochána in Mayo added: “St Patrick’s Day can be a great time for family and friends to gather in celebration when safe plans are made before going out," while Cathoirleach of Mayo County Council Councillor Al McDonnell adding his support to the campaign, said: “We want to remind motorists of the dangers of driving under the influence. It could be your life or the life of another that you save by taking the time to designate a driver.”
