Go on go on, have coffee instead of tea

MRS Doyle has changed her brew from tea to coffee, and it's all for the cause of road safety.

The legendary Father Ted star, played by Pauline McLynn, has ditched the tea bags for coffee to drive home a very important road safety message this weekend.

Mayo County Council's road safety office is undertaking the initiative for the coming bank holiday weekend, and the striking image of Pauline McLynn as Mrs Doyle is set to dominate the local landscape with a plea go on 'go on go on' and take a break for a cup of coffee.

The council has joined forces with An Garda Síochána to organise this road safety campaign, which has been given the thumbs up by McLynn and also by production company Hat Trick Productions Ltd., prducers of Father Ted. The company has given the road safety office of Mayo County Council a licence to use the images.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage drivers to plan their actions before they head out on their travels. Figures released last year by the gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) revealed that over a five-year period, 12 people had died and 27 people had been seriously injured on Irish roads over the previous August bank holiday weekends.

Road signs of Mrs Doyle will be erected around Mayo and will contain road safety slogans in an effort to remind drivers to freshen up by taking a break.

Mayo's road safety officer, Noel Gibbons, said the August bank holiday weekend is one of the busiest and unfortunately the deadliest weekends on the roads. “This is a way to highlight the fatigue issue. Make no mistake - fatigue is a serious killer,” said Mr. Gibbons.

“Using the roads is one of the most dangerous things we do everyday, and people do so in a fashion that comes as second nature to them,” he added. “You can't under estimate the importance of stopping for a break for a cup of coffee. As Mrs Doyle might now say, 'Go on go on, have a cup of coffee'.”

The cathoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Al McDonnell, said the awareness campaign is more important for Ireland now than ever before because we are beginning to have long, continuous stretches of motorway.

“Especially at this time of year, when people on holidays tend to drive long distances across the country, the dangers of fatigue are at their worst,” he stated. “Take regular breaks when you are driving long distances, share the driving if you can, and never ignore the tell-tale warning signs of fatigue.”

Garda Superintendent Joe McKenna added: “I have seen too many horrific injuries caused by people falling asleep at the wheel to take this lightly. Sleep-related collisions tend to be more serious than other road collisions because the driver is unable to react before a crash. You don't fall asleep without a warning; if you are fighting to keep yourself awake, then get off the road.”