Three meath leading lights awards for road safety
Three Meath winners have been awarded ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety Awards’ for their commitment and dedication to road safety. Meath Road Safety Officer Michael Finnegan, Garda Ashling Connor and Ratoath NS accepted their awards at the seventh annual Road Safety Authority (RSA) ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards, which were held in Farmleigh, Phoenix Park and attended by almost 200 award winners. The awards celebrated the outstanding efforts of individuals and groups throughout the country who help promote awareness of road safety in their communities.
Garda Ashling Connor was awarded the Emergency Services ‘Leading Light in Road Safety’ award. As a result of complaints from the public in relation to young people cycling in the Ratoath area, Garda Connor invited young people in Ratoath N.S. to contribute ideas to help alleviate this problem. The pupils developed and introduced a ‘cycling licence’ whereby they identified three golden rules in relation to cycle safety which all pupils should abide by. These are: 1.Always wear a helmet, 2. Dismount the bike when entering the school, and 3. Always obey the Safe Cross Code.
Garda Connor also delivers talks on road safety at her local parish church and at various community groups and has demonstrated a strong commitment to road safety throughout her career to date.
The judges made this Emergency Services award jointly with Ratoath NS, as the school worked so closely with Garda Connor to alleviate issues regarding cycling and wearing of helmets. Other principals have heard about the initiative and want to start it with their own pupils. Ratoath pupils came up with the golden rules themselves and designed the licences, and above all complaints from the community have reduced as a result of this innovative school and Garda collaboration.
Meath Road Safety Officer Michael Finnegan won the Road Safety Officer category at the awards ceremony. Michael is immersed in every road safety project in Meath and very committed to making sure each project is given the resources and support required to make it a success. He has been heavily involved with promoting the new joint Gardaí and RSA project to persuade parent associations in the local schools to adopt hi-vis jackets as part of the official school uniform for all students in the Meath area from September 2015. He was also very involved with the Safer Cycling Initiative which involved road safety training and the launch of Bike Licences for young people.
Hundreds of nominations were submitted to this year’s ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards and among the winners were individuals and groups from business, media, education and the public sector. Out of all the winners, one supreme winner was selected for their sustained commitment and contribution to road safety in Ireland. The winner of this year’s Supreme Award was Learn Early Academy Montessori and Crèche.