RSA Looks To 'Remembrance Day'

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are urging the Irish public to commemorate 'Remembrance Day', remembering the lives lost on Ireland's roads.

The authority said that this Sunday, November 20, will be ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’, when the RSA, An Garda Síochána, local Road Safety Officers, the Emergency Services and PARC Road Safety Group will be urging people to remember the victims of road collisions.

The authority said a total of 23,057 people had died on Irish roads to date since records began in 1959, roughly the same as the population of Tralee, Co. Kerry.

So far this year, 165 families, friends and communities have been left devastated by the loss of a loved one.

Masses, services and commemoration events will take place around the country this weekend to remember the lives that have been lost on our roads. PARC Road Safety Group will also hold a multi-denominational ceremony to support the bereaved, the injured and the emergency services at 2pm in St Thomas the Apostle Church, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Dublin. Family members and friends of victims of road collisions are invited to bring along a photo of their lost loved one.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said: “Since 1959, 23,057 people have died on our roads in tragic yet preventable circumstances. This is roughly the same as the population of Tralee in Co. Kerry.

"Behind every tragedy lies a traumatised family and a shattered community. This Sunday gives everyone an opportunity to remember those who have been killed or injured on our roads, as well as the people left behind.”

Meanwhile, Gay Byrne, Chairman of RSA, said: “’World Remembrance Day’ is a time for us to remember those who have died on our roads, the families, friends and communities who are living with their tragic loss and those people who continue to require support and care for serious injuries. So on ‘World Remembrance Day’, please take a moment to think about your behaviour on the roads and the changes we all can make to keep our roads free from carnage. Because all it takes is a split second for lives to be changed forever.”

(DW)