BY AUSTIN LYNCH
Over the coming weeks motorists across Fermanagh, Omagh and Strabane may notice a large sign positioned at the side of various main roads.
The sign has been hired by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and is part funded by the District Policing Partnership with the aim of driving home the anti drink-drive message to motorist across the area.
Road Policing Rural West covers Fermanagh, Omagh and Strabane and this sign will be moved to various locations within these three areas over the coming three weeks.
The message on the huge sign was devised by members of Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council and the message reads 'Drink and Drive' 'Live or Die'.
Niall McGoldrick, from St Michael's College a member of the FSYC explains that the council recently decided to conduct a road safety campaign in response to the large number of young people who have lost their lives on the county's roads this year.
John Conlon, also a pupil at St Michael's College explains he used to attend St Comhghall's High School in Lisnaskea and the tragic accident earlier this year in which four young people lost their lives was one of the things that spurred them on to try and do something about the deaths on our roads.
"We held a meeting to try to come up with possible slogans we could use. Then we had to thing about different ways to get the message across to the motoring public," Niall explains.
The FSYC held a meeting with Inspector Ian Kennedy and expressed their ideas.
A core group was formed, which included Niall, John and Clara Dolan from Mount Lourdes.
Clara says that so far this year too many people have died on the county's roads and we haven't even reached the Christmas period yet.
"Our campaign asks people if they want to be the next statistic?"
Roads Policing Inspector Alwyn Gurney hopes the signs will have an impact on drivers right across Fermanagh.
"When you drink and drive you put the lives of others at risk. Too many families across the Province will sit down to Christmas dinner without a loved one so we want this message to get across to drivers loud and clear - Never drink and drive!"
Fermanagh DPP Chairman Councillor Tom Elliot added: "We are coming into a time of year which brings with it all sorts of difficulties on the road.
"Poor weather can adversely affect driving conditions and with more traffic on the roads in the lead up to Christmas, motorists need to take extra care.
"Despite continued publicity on the subject, and the stigma attached to drink driving in particular, members of the DPP have been disappointed to learn that there is a significant number of people who will still take that chance and drink and drive.
"We hope that the use of a mobile messaging board will provide the visual impact to make drivers think twice about speeding and to change their driving habits for the better." The large electronic sign, which is solar powered, will be in prominent positions across the Fermanagh road network for 11 days during the coming few weeks and drivers are asked to heed its powerful message.
