The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking people nationwide to remember the victims of road crashes on ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’, this Sunday 15th November 2009.

 

The RSA will be joining forces with Road Safety Officers, Emergency Services and members of An Garda Síochána to mark the day and remember those who have died on our roads.

 

Tragically up to Friday 13^th November 2009 a total of 22,646 lives have been lost on Irish roads since the recording of road deaths began in 1959. That’s equivalent to the total population of Tralee town and its environs being lost on our roads.

 

Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority said the day should serve as a reminder to us all of just how vulnerable we are on the roads: “This Sunday, ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ allows us to remember those whose lives have been tragically lost on our roads, and the families who have been devastated by their loss.”

 

“However, the most poignant point is that these deaths, the devastation and trauma could have been prevented. To those who have not yet changed their behaviour and taken responsibility for their actions on the roads I make a personal plea to you, to reflect on the risks you take and the risk you force on others. To those in a position to shape and implement lifesaving policies, I ask you to take practical actions that save lives and prevent injuries. The Irish public depend on you to show leadership and act in the interest of the greater good. There is no room for procrastination when dealing with peoples live.”

 

Activity is taking place across the country to mark ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ which has been organised by local Road Safety Officers supported by the Road Safety Authority. Details of those activities and local contacts are as follows;

 

A special service will take place in Drogheda on World Remembrance Day at 1.15 p.m. in the Augustinian Church.  The Anglican religious order will also be invited to attend and share in the service on World Remembrance Day.

In addition, Louth County Council have organised for prayers to be offered at Catholic and Anglican services in County Louth and a candle will be lit during these church services in remembrance of road traffic victims.

A special mass will take place at Knock Shrine on Sunday at 12:00pm on World Remembrance Day. Members of all the emergency services including the fire service and ambulance service are invited to attend.  Midwest Radio will also promote it during the week leading up to Sunday, 15^th November.

 

In Carlow, prayers will be said at services in all churches to remember those who have died in road crashes.

Monaghan County Council will write to church leaders of Anglican and Catholic denominations requesting them to remember road traffic victims at their services on World Remembrance Day.

 

Wexford County Council is broadcasting an advertisement on local radio from Monday the 9^th of November which will be broadcast 8 times a day for a week reminding people that it is World Remembrance Day. 

 

Westmeath County Council are writing to all the churches in Co. Westmeath and sending out suggested prayers that can be said to mark World Remembrance Day

 

South Tipperary County Council is writing out to churches in the area asking that victims of Road Collisions are remembered in their prayers on Sunday the 15^th of November.  They are also organising road safety initiatives in school during the week preceding the event.

 

In Clare, prayers will be offered at all masses to remember road traffic victims.

 

 

At some masses in County Kildare, members of the Kildare Emergency Services will offer prayers of the faithful for road traffic victims. (Prayers will be said by local Fire Officer, Ambulance Officer, Member of An Garda Síochana, and the Road Safety Officer for Kildare County Council).

 

In Cavan, an advertisement will be placed in the local paper Anglo Celt advising the public that it is World Day of Remembrance and asking them to remember road traffic victims. Also Cavan County Council website will promote World Day of Remembrance.

 

Offaly County Council will have information included in the church newsletter in the parish of Ferbane informing parishioners of World Remembrance Day and asking them to remember road traffic victims in their prayers.

 

Kerry County Council has written to Clergy in the County about World Remembrance Day with a view to having prayers said at religious services in the County over the weekend.

 

Ends

Editors Notes;

The RSA has pledged to support this nationwide day of remembrance in fact, this is a commitment identified in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012.

 

A Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was first initiated by RoadPeace, the UK national charity for road victims (www.roadpeace.org). However, following the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on 26th October 2005, the third Sunday in November of every year is now recognised as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The UN Assembly was of the view that such a special day was the appropriate acknowledgement for victims of road traffic crashes and their families

 

For further information contact:

RSA Communications Office, Ballina Tel: 096 25008

Or

Brian Farrell, Communications Manager Tel: 086 388100