Louth County Council joins emergency services for ‘Gift of a Lift’ campaign

^{Pictured above: Firefighter Niall Clarke, Louth County Council Fire and Rescue Service; Garda Ken Bogan, An Garda Síochána; Niall James, National Ambulance Service; Sgt James McDonagh, An Garda Síochána; Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council; Thomas McEvoy, Director of Service and Deputy Chief Executive with Louth County Council; Garda Eve McCrystal, An Garda Síochána; John Shevlin, National Ambulance Service; Garda Aoife Mallon, An Garda Síochána; Sub-Station Officer Patrick Lawless, Louth County Council Fire and Rescue Service at the launch of the Council’s ‘Gift of a Lift’ Christmas road safety campaign}

Louth County Council, in partnership with local emergency services including the Fire and Rescue Service, An Garda Síochána, and the National Ambulance Service, is urging everyone to get home safely this festive season through its ‘Gift of a Lift’ road safety campaign.

The initiative encourages people to offer a lift to friends or family during the Christmas party season or help them arrange alternative transport, such as a taxi, to ensure they arrive home safely. To support this, Louth County Council has created a ‘Gift of a Lift’ card, available free of charge at all branches of the Louth Library Service or for download from the Council’s website.

Launching the campaign, Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: "The festive season is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time to look out for one another. The ‘Gift of a Lift’ campaign is about making that extra effort to ensure friends and family get home safely from festive parties and family gatherings.

"A simple gesture like offering a lift or arranging a taxi can make all the difference. This Christmas, give the gift of safety."

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Sergeant Declan Higgins, Louth Roads Policing Unit, welcomed the initiative and shared advice for road users: “An Garda Síochána urges all road users to exercise heightened care this Christmas, as recent tragic road traffic collisions continue to have profound and enduring consequences for families and communities.

"Garda members will be conducting roadside checks throughout the festive period to support public safety and responsible road use. Our message is unequivocal: reduce speed, refrain from mobile phone use while driving, never drive under the influence, and remain vigilant on every journey. Initiatives such as ‘Gift of a Lift’ further contribute to reducing risk to our loved ones. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe this festive season.”

Members of the National Ambulance Service and Louth County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service are also backing the campaign. Joe Lumsden, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Louth County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service said:

"Our crews see first-hand the aftermath of road traffic collisions, and the impact is felt not only by victims and their families but also by emergency responders. These are traumatic events that stay with our staff. By arranging a safe lift or booking a taxi in advance of your night out you’re helping to reduce the risk of a road traffic incident and the possibility of serious injury or death.”

Tom Horwell, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer with National Ambulance Service added: “Every Christmas, our ambulance crews respond to collisions where alcohol or impaired decision making has played a role. These are incidents that change lives in an instant and impact families, friends and the wider community in Louth.

"Arranging a safe lift home is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent a 999 call. Our message is clear. Plan your journey, never take a chance on the road, and help others get home safely. The best night out is the one that ends without an emergency.”

Thomas McEvoy, Director of Service and Deputy Chief Executive with Louth County Council, explained: “The ‘Gift of a Lift’ card is a creative way to share an important message at a time when roads are busier and conditions can be hazardous. By gifting a lift or arranging a taxi for someone, you’re helping ensure they get home safely—and that’s something worth celebrating this Christmas.”

The ‘Gift of a Lift’ card is available for FREE at all Louth Library Service branches and can be downloaded at www.louthcoco.ie.