Niamh Kearney (14) and Tadgh O'Shea (15), students at Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai, got the award for their traffic calming initiative to reduce the speed of motorists coming in and out of Kealkill Village. With the help of the local Gardai, they spent two days monitoring the speed of the cars passing through the village - one car was recorded driving at a speed of 104km/h in the 50km/h speed limit. Niamh and Tadgh presented their project to the An Garda Siochana and Cork County Council and were awarded a €15,000 grant by the NRA to purchase three sets of gateway signs for each entrance to the village.
The awards were presented by RSA Chairman Gay Byrne, who said the young students were 'an example to us all'. He presented 14 such awards to individuals, groups, businesses, media, education sector and public sector organizations for their contributions to road safety.
Other recipients of awards included Barry Keating from Clare County Council and Declan Keogh from Kildare County Council for their work to promote road safety in their counties. Garda Andrew Keegan from Enniscrone, Co Sligo received a Road Safety Ambassador Award for his work with his local primary school. The Business Award went to Gielty's Bar and Restaurant in Achill Island where the proprietor Alan Gielty purchased a mini bus branded with the slogan 'You Drink, We Drive' which allows people anywhere on the island to call him at any time to get a lift to and from the pub.
Meath County Council won the Public Sector Award for its commitment to improving road safety. Road fatalities have dropped in the county from 30 in 2005 to six in 2010.
Tomas O'Callaghan took the Approved Driving Instructor (cars) award. He works in the Southeast area and specializes in providing training for learners with disabilities.
