Major New Winter Safety And Wellbeing Campaign Launched

A major new winter safety and wellbeing campaign has been launched by An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Garda and HSE will work with Limerick's Public Services of Limerick City and County Council to highlight some key messages over the coming weeks.

A pilot three-week radio campaign begins today, Monday 14 November, under the banner of Limerick's Public Services Working together.

Each week of the campaign focuses on a different area:

• Week 1 – relates to road safety and the impact that crashes have on people and the wider community

• Week 2 – focuses on mental health and general wellbeing, especially during the winter period

• Week 3 – focuses on safer communities and steps people can take to make their homes and communities more secure.

The first week of ads focuses on Road Safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, dealing with the impact road crashes have on people and communities as well as steps that can be taken to help reduce the likelihood of being involved in a road crash.

The radio ads are being backed up other events and initiatives. These will include road checkpoints which will reinforce the road safety points, the distribution of hi-vis jackets and enhanced awareness of personal security and safety.

Bernard Gloster, Chief Officer with the HSE Mid West, said: "Our public service agencies work together in many different ways, this winter we are making a special effort to enhance this. We are joining forces to provide the public with key messages of vital importance during the winter months."

Chief Superintendent David Sheahan added: "An Garda Síochána is extremely conscious of the importance of State and local government agencies working together to enhance the safety and quality of life of all the people of Limerick.

"Enhancing road safety is a collective effort, from road engineering, traffic law enforcement, community engagement and public awareness. There is responsibility on all of us, every time we use our roads, to drive safely and think of others, failing to do so can have drastic and life changing consequences."

(MH/JP)