More than 1,600 Transition Year students from schools across Co Mayo have attended a road safety event as part of an education campaign.
The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow comes as more than 60 people have died on Irish roads so far this year.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has listed road safety as one of his key areas of priority.
Mayo is the worst affected county so far this year with eight road deaths. Half of those killed were aged under 18.
The figures are a stark follow on from 2023 with 188 deaths recorded on Irish roads, the worst in nearly a decade.
Students in Castlebar watch graphic re-enactment of what emergency services do in real life road collisions @rtenews @MayoCoCo @AXA @RSAIreland #roadsafety pic.twitter.com/hXQNeyjHho
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) April 11, 2024
The event is targeting young drivers and those about to start their driving career, to take responsibility for their own driving behaviour.
The consequences of taking risks was depicted graphically on how a night out can end in tragedy.
Students saw and heard about what happens when inexperienced and overconfident drivers get behind the wheel of a car without the necessary safety skills required.
Last year, almost three-quarters of all road deaths occurred on rural roads.
Speeding and intoxicated driving are key contributory factors.
Statistics show that young males are the group most likely to be involved in a fatal collision.
There was first-hand accounts from a garda, paramedic, fire officer and emergency department consultant. Families and friends of victims as well as survivors of road accidents were also on hand to tell their stories.
Speaking ahead of the event, Retail Director with AXA Mick Comerford said that the country was currently losing the fight to improve road safety.
He said: "Many of these young students will begin driving in the next year or two so it's vital that we educate them early about the importance of road safety. Unfortunately, 2024 is proving to be a bleak year for road safety."
Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council Gary Smyth said: "This roadshow tackles the harsh realities of what can happen on our roads. By seeing these scenarios, students will hopefully realise they're not invincible.
"These dangers affect all road users and young people in particular need to be aware of them. This event aims to instil respect for the roads and other drivers, making them safer drivers in the future."
The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow is aimed primarily at Transition Year students and is based on an award-winning format and depicts graphically how a night out can end in tragedy.
The show depicts what happens with driver inexperience and overconfidence with the aim to educate and highlight the various safety skills these young students need before they or their friends start driving.
Using a backdrop of contemporary music, video clips and television advertisements; the story was told by Garda Michael Gorman, Paramedic Derek Walsh, Fire Officer Jason Keane and a Mayo General Hospital ED Consultant Lisa Cunningham.
Stevo Timothy tells the story of how he was involved in an accident that claimed the life of his pillion passenger on his motorbike whilst drunk driving.
The show culminated in a presentation by Leo Lieghio who lost his 16-year-old daughter Marsia 18 years ago in a hit-and-run in Clondalkin in Dublin.
Marsia was knocked down at a set of pedestrian lights. Mr Lieghio told the students about the raw grief he and his family had to suffer since that terrible day.
