4 October 2002: The National Safety Council has launched the Irish Road Safety Endeavour Awards for 2003. This is the second year of the awards programme, which seeks to acknowledge individuals and organisations who have contributed to the promotion of road safety in Ireland.

Pictured at the launch are Paul Donovan, Chief Executive, Vodafone Ireland, sponsors of the awards, and Eddie Shaw, Chairman of the National Safety Council, with puppet 'Rollie' from Rollies Road Show, winner of the Education Award 2002, commissioned by Leitrim County Council.

Speaking at the launch Eddie Shaw, Chairman of the National Safety Council said there is a danger in compartmentalising road safety as a job for government or a job for the Gardai. “This is incorrect,” he said. “Road deaths are caused by all of us and we have an obligation to make our roads a safer place to be by all of us accepting personal responsibility for our actions/in-actions on the road, especially drivers".

This year's awards will be made under the following categories:

MEDIA - These awards give recognition to a news professional whose insightful and constructive work has raised public awareness of road safety. Entries are invited from those working in Print Media and Audio-Visual Media.

EDUCATION - These awards recognise education-based initiatives created and promoted with the aim of positively influencing the behaviour of young people in the area of road safety. Primary and Secondary schools and third level students are invited to enter in this category as well as Councils and Organisations who have completed an educational programme in road safety.

OPEN - This award recognises road safety initiatives undertaken by people within the community. This award category is open to any local authority, company, group or individual.

NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL ENDEAVOUR AWARD 2003 - This award will be presented to the category winner who in the opinion of the judges has made the most outstanding contribution to road safety.

Over 15,000 entry forms have been distributed nationwide to local authorities, school, colleges and community organisations. Full details of the awards and entry forms are available on line at www.nscawards.ie or from the National Safety Council on Tel – 01-4963422 or Local Call 1890 200 844. Closing dates for receipt of entries is Friday 20th December 2002.