Young Drivers 85% More Likely to Be in Road Accidents
- 1 in 3 road fatalities in Mayo last year involved drivers aged 14-18 yrs.
- 1,300 Transition Year students from 20+ Mayo schools to attend hard-hitting road safety event
Young drivers are 85% more likely to be involved in road accidents than older drivers, with speed, distraction, and inexperience the leading causes of road traffic accidents. According to the RSA, a third of fatalities on Irish roads last year involving drivers aged 14-18 were from Mayo.
To address this major issue on our roads, AXA today launched its 2025 Roadsafe Roadshow in Mayo, bringing together 1,300 Transition Year (TY) students for a powerful and emotional road safety event at The TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar.
A Hard-Hitting Reality Check for Young Drivers
Now in its 16th year, the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow partners with Mayo County Council, An Garda Síochána and emergency services to deliver a raw, real-life depiction of the dangers on our roads. The event includes:
Reenactment of a night out ending in tragedy – showing the devastating impact of reckless driving.
First-hand accounts from emergency responders who deal with road fatalities.
Hayley Coleman, a survivor of a road traffic collision that tragically killed her friend
Leo Lieghio, father of Marsia Lieghio, who tragically died in a road traffic accident, sharing his story.
The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow encourages the next generation of young road users to actively consider the importance of road safety and the impact that dangerous driving, speeding, substance use and distracted driving can have on themselves and others.
To further support safer driving among young road users, AXA has partnered with the Irish School of Motoring (ISM) to provide the twelve Essential Driver Training lessons at a discounted rate.
Speaking at the launch of the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow in Mayo, Mick Comerford, Retail Direct Director, AXA said, “For young Mayo drivers, getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time and learning to drive is an exciting milestone in their lives. However, with that additional independence comes responsibility to drive safely for yourself and for all road users. Our data shows that young drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in road accidents than older drivers. The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow aims to provide young people on the verge of learning to drive with an honest and unfiltered account of how dangerous driving can destroy lives.”
Speaking at the event, Frances Mitchell, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council said: “This is a very hard-hitting and informative Roadshow and is aimed at young drivers starting out on their driving journey to adopt a more responsible attitude in terms of their own driving behaviour. Speeding, driving under the influence of drink and or drugs, dangerous driving and distracted driving can have a devastating impact on both the driver and other road users. The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow aims to encourage the next generation of young road users to actively think about the importance of road safety and to make the best choice. “
The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow will visit locations in Louth, Kildare, North Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, and the Midlands in 2025.
For more information, please visit AXA Roadsafe Roadshow