Today is April Fools Day, and as part of a road safety campaign, motorists in Mayo can expect to see life-sized cardboard cut-outs of a Garda with a speed gun at roads across the county, with the message "Don't be fooled -speed kills and focus on your driving".

The initiative is the work of Mayo County Council, supported by Gardai, to remind motorists of the need to drive within the speed limit.

With longer evenings and the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions on the way, there will be more pedestrians and cyclists using our roads network as we come into Summer, increasing the need for vigilance on our roads.

Mayo's Road Safety Officer Noel Gibbons says the purpose of the Garda cut-outs are "to let people know that the only ones they're fooling when they're speeding are themselves".

There was a 21% increase in the number of penalty points issued for speeding last year, but Mr Gibbons says it's not just about avoiding penalty points for speeding - it's about driving safer at all times, and creating a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians.