Monaghan

McCaughey’s 24hr Service Station on the N2 at Broomfield, Co Monaghan is the setting for an informative Road Safety Awareness event this Friday 4th August 2017 from midday to 7pm. Jointly organised by McCaughey’s 24 hr Service Station, Monaghan County Council and the Road Safety Authority, the event is also supported by Top Oil, Daybreak Ireland, Monaghan Gardai, Monaghan Fire and Rescue Service, Shane Tyres Castleblayney, Ulster GAA and Northern Sound FM who will be broadcasting live from the event throughout the day.

The Road Safety Authority’s Shuttlebus and Rollover simulator will be present giving everyone an opportunity to:

• Experience simulated virtual situations and experience first-hand the dangers of driving and texting and driver fatigue.
• See how driving environments and speed affect braking distances on the brake reaction timer.
• Learn about tyre safety
• Practice you driving skills on car, motorbike & bicycle simulators.
• Take a road safety quiz in the activity zone.
• Practice the driver theory test on board.

The Rollover Simulator will allow users to experience a half or a full rotation, to show how it would feel if you were in a car which turned over in a collision and the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seatbelt. For the children, they can test their fancy footwork by dancing to the Safe Cross Code in the activity zone and practice their safe cycling skills on the state of the art bicycle simulator.

Tyres are the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road therefore they play a key role in vehicle safety. Those attending can avail of free tyre checks to ensure they comply with legal standards. As well as checking tread depth, tyres will also be examined for defects and proper inflation levels.

Experts will be on hand to provide advice on road safety issues including the dangers of driver fatigue, which has been an issue over Bank Holiday weekends as increased numbers of people take to the roads. It is estimated that driver fatigue is a contributory factor in as many as 1 in 5 driver deaths in Ireland every year.

Also present on the day will be Cú Chulainn Blood Bikes. Formed in 2016, they are a group of volunteers who transport blood, samples, x-rays etc between hospitals at no cost to the public purse for patients from Monaghan, Cavan, Louth and Meath. They also transport blood samples from family homes of sick children, allowing parents more time at home and less time travelling to hospital to leave off samples. Additionally they support sick or terminally ill children with visits to hospital or at home. The group are fully trained and all have accredited First Aid Courses.

All are welcome to attend.