Over half of GAA fans have experienced a driving incident while fatigued according to research published by Liberty Insurance in its capacity as Official Safe Driving Partner of the Association. 6 per cent said they had a near miss and 2 per cent admitted to having a collision when driving while tired.
A #DriveSafer message is central to Liberty’s third year of sponsorship of the GAA All Ireland Hurling Championship this summer.
Throughout the season Liberty will be providing advice to help GAA fans and players avoid some of the incidents revealed in the research and will be using GAA ambassadors to support the campaign throughout the Championship.
There will be with additional initiatives in Croke Park and at major matches encouraging fans to get to and from the games safely.
“With many GAA fans having to travel long distances to support their teams over the summer, we want to raise awareness of driver fatigue,” said Liberty Sponsorship Executive and Galway Hurler Joe Canning.
“We’re advising fans to take extra care on their travels and to stay hydrated before and during their journey; to download their route before they leave home on Google Maps in case of poor reception; and take regular breaks to stretch their legs.”
“Like the players, they should try to get a good night’s sleep the night before the game and plan ahead.”
Another suggestion being put forward is to create a playlist that will aid concentration by creating a surrounding with which the driver is familiar and knows what’s coming next.
Canning revealed to Sport for Business yesterday that his personal playlist at the moment while he is driving up and down between work in Dublin and training in his native Galway includes tracks from Hudson Taylor and Tom Odell. Hopefully the latter’s attributed quote of ‘having my heart broken leads to good songs’ won’t prophesy a Championship season of disappointment for Galway.
The research by Millward Brown uncovered the following common incidents experienced by GAA fans:
- · A quarter of GAA fans reported not remembering the last few kilometres they drove
· 15% of GAA fans stated they missed an exit off the road
· 12% stated they had a slower reaction time to hazards on the road
· 10% of GAA fans stated they had a late braking incident
· 9% of GAA fans crossed a lane they shouldn’t have
· 6% of GAA fans stated they had a near miss and 2% stated they had a collision
· 5% of GAA fans nodded off at the wheel and 3% fell asleep at the wheel as a result of driving when tired.
Liberty Insurance will be promoting the #DriveSafer message throughout the Championship as well as via social media on Facebook and twitter with tips and hints on how to get to games safely through the summer.
Image Credit: Brendan Moran / Sportsfile
