Longford County Council champions Road Safety Awareness Week with GAA Partnership

Longford County Council has launched Road Safety Awareness Week with a pioneering campaign partnering with local GAA clubs to tackle Ireland's escalating road fatality crisis.

Irish Road Safety Week takes place from Monday, October 6 to Sunday, October 12, 2025.

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Longford County Council’s road safety campaign centres on a groundbreaking collaboration with Longford GAA/LGFA, and An Garda Síochána, specifically targeting 18-35 year olds – the demographic most affected by road traffic incidents.

The campaign launch took place at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford Town with new signage carrying the hard-hitting message: "Be a team player. Think road safety. A mistake on the field could cost the game; a mistake on the road could cost you your life."

The signs emphasise four critical behaviours: phone down, slow down, belt up, and never drink or drug drive. Plans are underway to extend this signage across all GAA grounds throughout County Longford.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Garry Murtagh said, " The statistics paint a stark picture. There have been a significant number of road deaths in Ireland over the past five years. These numbers represent not merely data points, but shattered families and communities torn apart. I would appeal to all drivers particularly young drivers to slow down and think twice as your actions can have devastating consequences.”

Deputy Chief Executive of Longford County Council John Brannigan said, "Road safety has moved beyond being simply a priority – it has become an urgent imperative that demands immediate and sustained action. I welcome this collaboration with Longford GAA/LGFA, and An Garda Síochána and the new signage which carries a powerful and impactful message for road safety.”

GAA clubs can contact Longford County Council to request a sign which they can use in their grounds.

The innovative social media element of the road safety campaign encourages all GAA clubs to photograph themselves with their road safety signs and tag Longford County Council, GAA, and LGFA with supportive messages. Participating clubs can enter a free draw for club prizes.

This initiative forms part of County Longford's Local Road Safety Action Plan 2025-2027, which aligns with Ireland's Government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The national strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% over the decade, working towards Vision Zero – Ireland's ultimate goal of zero road deaths by 2050.

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The Road Safety Working Together Group, which comprises of representatives from Longford County Council, An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Department of Transport Support Office, the Health Service Executive, the Road Safety Authority and Comhairle na nÓg, developed the campaign through genuine partnership.

For more information about Road Safety Awareness Week activities or to request a sign for your GAA club contact the Roads Department of Longford County Council on 043 334 33 41 or email roads@longfordcoco.ie.