Barry Keating is among three road safety officers from across the country to be shortlisted for the award.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) awards recognise and honour the outstanding efforts of people from local community groups, media, schools and businesses nationwide to improve safety on Irish roads.
The categories include Road Safety Officer of the Year, Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) of the Year, Road Safety Ambassador of the Year and Young Road Safety Ambassador of the Year, Public Sector and Business.
In addition to the category awards, one winner will be chosen to receive a Supreme Award. This will be presented to an individual or group for the most innovative and outstanding road safety initiative, leadership and exemplary dedication to the area of road safety.
Commenting on his nomination, Mr. Keating said: “It took me by surprise when I was nominated for an award for my work in road safety. I enjoy my work of increasing road safety awareness and playing my part to reduce deaths and serious injuries on County Clare’s roads. I look forward to continuing this work in conjunction with local and national agencies as well as Elected Representatives and members of the local community.”
Congratulating Mr. Keating on being shortlisted for the award, Ms. Nora Kaye, Acting Director of Services said: “I would like to congratulate Barry on this wonderful achievement especially as the other two nominees are full time Road Safety Officers. Barry’s role as Road Safety Officer is a part time add – on to his responsibilities as Head of the Administrative Unit of the Transportation department in Clare County Council. His tireless efforts to instill a change in the mindset of many road users have resulted in a renewed awareness of peoples’ responsibilities and acceptance of the need to be more road aware.”
“Barry’s work to date in relation to Road Safety is outstanding. His work in collaboration with local and national agencies has delivered a Road Safety Strategy for County Clare that is broad in its vision, realistic in its targets and is very focused in that all stakeholders are assigned direct responsibilities for specific actions. He also challenges work colleagues, Councillors, Government departments and agencies to support and visibly assist in the delivery of the targets in the Road Safety Strategy and has over the past two years successfully convinced senior colleagues to ensure appropriate funding is dedicated to road safety”, she added.
Barry Keating has lived in Clare all his life and is married with three children. From a young age he has been heavily involved in his community and county as he captained the Clare football team and played in numerous Munster Finals and County Finals with Eire Og.i. In later life he trained local team Lissycasey, the Clare minors and Under 21’s. He has worked for Clare County Council in various roles for the past 14 years and he was appointed Road Safety Officer in 2008.
Since his appointment Barry has made a huge contribution to Road Safety throughout the county and the following are just some of those initiatives:
- Through his practical and innovative approach to Road Safety, he has designed what he calls a “School Zones Project”. This pilot project is currently being implemented and works have commenced at the following 8 no. national schools throughout the county; Moveen NS, Mullagh NS, Inch NS, Barefield NS, Cratloe NS, Bodyke NS, Dromindoora NS and Cloonanaha NS. This project provides for a special school zone area at school times which is denoted by new road markings and a reduced speed limit with a VMS sign. The project will be officially launched during Road Safety week in October 2010.
- The Lifesaver Project is another initiative involving local Gardai, Paramedics, HSE Consultants and Clare Fire and Rescue Services. Barry is currently organising this interactive event which is scheduled to take place in Glór in November 2010. All of the secondary schools are invited to attend in which they will see first hand the importance of road safety with the use of real crashed cars and how the various agencies play their part in respect of road safety.
- Barry has presented over 20 road safety talks to primary schools in 2010 and to date in excess of 3,000 high viz vests have been distributed to school children
- Through Barry’s dedication to road safety he petitioned the RSA to consider Ennis as a location for Phase 2 of the Check It Fits programmei and this programme was successfully delivered yesterday in Ennis . A total of 260 cars visited and availed of this roadshow.. In the knowledge that over 80%of car seats are fitted incorrectly, Barry liased with the RSA to ensure that the people of Clare had an opportunity to meet with professional staff to advise on the correct procedures in fitting a child seat. In addition Advance Pit Stop were available to motorists to provide a free safety check on their vehicles. …….. .
- The Council continues to employ school wardens at 9 schools in Clare and also implement and finance a junior school warden scheme at 7 schools. Barry liaises with the local Gardai to arrange training for the students.
- Barry promoted the Community Road Safety Programme and so far 10 people have been trained as Ambassador’s by the RSA.
The 2010 Leading Lights Road Safety Awards winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin Castle on Wednesday 13th October
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