Posted online: Aug 26th, 2010

Speak up, and you could save someone’s life – that’s the stark message contained in the “Tough Love” campaign.
The campaign, which was launched last year and was the first of its kind in Ireland, asks everyone – particularly young girls and mothers – to speak up about their sons, partners and friends, whose risky driving behaviour is likely to lead to a serious road traffic collision.
This week the Donegal Road Safety Working Group is reminding road users of the ‘Tough Love’ road safety service, which can be used when you witness dangerous driving or are concerned about the way a family member or friend drives.
Inspector Michael Harrison believes the service, with the support of the public, can dramatically reduce the number of collisions on the county’s roads.
“We very much appeal to everyone, but particularly young people, to have the courage to send the text or make the call to 087 980 99 99, when they know someone is involved in risky or dangerous driving. We received numerous messages over the first year of the service from worried individuals and the subsequent interventions, I believe, prevented serious collisions. I would ask people to save the number 087 980 99 99 in their phones and make use of it to help make Donegal roads a safer place.”
Meanwhile, text services are increasingly being used by police services across Europe as a means of communicating with young people as they are more familiar and comfortable with this technology.
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group has consulted widely on this issue with young people and feedback has concurred that texting and the use of internet technology, like Facebook, is likely to reach the younger audience in Donegal more than the traditional leaflet or poster.
Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer, Eamonn Brown said, “Unfortunately, the statistics demonstrate that it is often the girlfriend or wife of the driver who loses their life in these collisions. We often hear after a serious or fatal collision comments like ‘it was only a matter of time’ or ‘ he was a nice fellow but a mad driver’ so we know that a lot of these collisions are preventable, if people are brave enough to do something about it.
“This telephone and text service provides a confidential way of making a difference. I would ask parents, girlfriends and anyone concerned about the poor driving behaviour they witness to text or call 087 980 99 99 with details as it may save their life or the life of that person,” he said.