Bradley supports GAA Campaign

Newry And Armagh SDLP Assembly Member Dominic Bradley has commended Ulster GAA, it's members and County Players on a new Road Safety Awareness Campaign, saying too many young people have died on the roads in County Down and County Armagh.

Mr Bradley was speaking at the launch of the Live To Play campaign at The Ulster GAA headquarters in Armagh on Friday evening when urged young people to take particular care on the roads over the Christmas period.

The Live To Play campaign includes county specific banners and posters featuring the local GAA heros encouraging road safety awareness. Armagh Team member Rónán Clarke has been selected to feature in the posters which will be distributed through-out Co Armagh while Ambrose Rogers will be featured on posters across Co Down.

Mr Bradley said he hoped young people in particular would take heed of their county's footballing hero and take care on the roads over the Christmas period:

"This is a highly professional and very impressive campaign," he said. "The GAA has a presence in every parish in almost every part of Ulster, and indeed across Ireland. The organisation commands the respect of everyone and it's players are seen as heros and role models to our youth. It is highly commendable that the Ulster GAA are using their influence to tackle such an important issue. I am particularly pleased that renowned footballers Ronan Clarke and Ambrose Rogers will use their status as local heroes to bring this important message to the young people of Co Armagh and Co Down."

"The statistics clearly show that publicity campaigns work. The number of deaths on our roads has dropped substantially in the past year. In 2009, 108 people died on Northern Ireland's roads but so far this year that figure have been reduced to 53. That is a huge decrease but we must do everything we can to bring this figure to zero. I believe this campaign will play a very important role in achieving this goal."

"There are many families in this area who have lost loved ones on the roads in recent years and will find this Christmas a difficult time and we all remember them and sympathise with them."

"My message to young people in this seasonal time of giving is that the best gift they can give their families this Christmas is to be careful on the roads and to come home safely."

"I am urging all motorists young an old to pay attention, to slow down, to wear their seatbelts, to switch off mobile phones, to avoid driving when over-tired or when alcohol or drugs have been consumed.

"Equally, pedestrians should always use footpaths, where possible, and wear bright or fluorescent clothing at night."

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