Over the last ten years 128 female passengers have been killed or seriously injured in cars driven by males on the roads of Co. Donegal. Of these, almost one quarter (27) were 17 - 24 year old female passengers in cars driven by 17 - 24 male drivers.
Noel Brett of the Road Safety Association said this week: “The facts speak for themselves - most female deaths and serious injuries are caused by male drivers. We have just launched a campaign ‘He drives, She dies’ which hopefully will empower girls
to say no to getting into a car with a guy who drives dangerously. It’s a hard hitting campaign but the fact is, ‘Girls, you are more likely to be killed by a male driver’
“This campaign is about ‘girl power’ and you have the power to make a choice here. Put your foot down tell him you are not impressed with his driving. Just remember that every time you get into a car with your boyfriend, partner or brother who drives dangerously, you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk. And more often than not, it’s a case of ‘He drives, She dies,’” he said in a hard hitting message to girls.
Research
Research conducted in the border region revealed that 8 out of 10 people have felt unsafe as passengers in a car. Speeding was cited as the behaviour that scared passengers most and also the fear that the driver would even go faster if criticized. The research also showed that more than half the people interviewed would accept a lift from someone who had been binge - drinking.
“It’s a sad fact but the research shows that young females are consistently over - represented in their decision to get into a car with someone they know has been drinking” said Maggie Martin project Manager with Co-operation and Working Together. ”Speeding is also a major factor and some think its not cool to ask to slow down. But as we all see today, dangerous driving kills. And you are more at risk if you are a female aged between 17 24. Our message is simple - don’t take the risk.” she concluded.
Even this weekend this reporter witnessed “boy racers” in souped up cars exceeding 100 mph on some of the more busy by - passes around the county and actually involved in one - to - one races. Not only is this behaviour endangering their own lives but also the lives of their passengers and oncoming drivers.
The full article contains 426 words and appears in Journal Friday newspaper.
