"Drugs can make you a killer" 14.08.07

A ROAD safety group campaign is urging people in Donegal never to take drugs and drive. The Donegal Road Safety Working Group launched its latest measure yesterday to raise awareness of the dangers of drug driving and to highlight the enforcement activity being undertaken by Gardaí around the county.
As part of the campaign, posters will be displayed initially in pubs and clubs in the Letterkenny area co-ordinated through the Letterkenny Pub Watch scheme. Pubs and clubs throughout Inishowen and other parts of the county are also being urged to display the posters in their premises. The working group's chairperson, Stephen

Lambert said: "This campaign is to inform people that drug driving can turn you into a killer! Impairment is similar to that of a drunk driver. I would encourage all pub and club owners in the county to avail of the free poster and to display it in their premises”. Drunkenness has long been recognised as a major contributor to road traffic collisions. However, under the recently published Donegal Road Safety Action Plan 2007-2009, Gardai have committed to increasing detection of drug driving in the county by 10% a year over the life of the plan. Divisional Superintendent Vincent O’Brien investigated a high number of road fatalities in Inishowen during his years as Garda chief in the peninsula. He welcomed the latest initiative to help reduce the number of tragedies on the county's roads. "The Garda Síochána have set a clear target within the Road Safety Plan to target drug driving and we are committed to this. Drivers should also be aware that they face up to a four year ban from driving and up to a €5,000 fine if found guilty," he said. Pub Watch chairman, Enda Nichol said he hoped the campaign would encourage people to make the right decision, by saying no to drugs.” Posters can be ordered free from the Road Safety Officer in Donegal County Council on 074 9172360.

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