17 November 2011
Day Of Remembrance for Road Collision Victims
A total of 23,057 people have died on Irish roads to date (17 November 2011) 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. This Sunday 20th November, ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, local Road Safety Officers, the Emergency Services and PARC Road Safety Group are urging people to remember the victims of road collisions.
Masses, services and commemoration events will take place around the country this weekend to remember the lives that have been lost on our roads. On Sunday 20th November, PARC Road Safety Group will 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.
L-R: Donna Price, PARC Road Safety Group, Garda Chris O’Shaughnessy, Blanchardstown Garda Station, Noel Brett, Road Safety Authority, Sergeant Peter Burke, Blanchardstown Garda Station and Caitriona Quinn
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.”
Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority 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.”
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, An Garda Síochána said: “An Garda Síochána is committed to working with road safety agencies, groups and individuals nationwide to ensure that fewer families have to suffer the grief of losing a loved one. ‘World Remembrance Day’ reminds us all just how devastating road collisions can be and gives us an opportunity to reflect on our own behaviour on the roads, particularly as the festive season approaches.”
Ms Donna Price, PARC Road Safety Group said: “’World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ only takes place once a year but anyone who has lost a loved one on the roads will know that you live with your memories and grief every day of the year. On Sunday 20th November, I would ask people around the country to take a few moments to remember those who have died on our roads, the families and friends that are left behind and the people who continue to need lifelong support for serious injuries.”
Activity is taking place around the country to mark ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ which has been organised by the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, local Road Safety Officers and PARC. Services will be held in the following places on ‘World Remembrance Day’:
- Dublin – Service at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Dublin 15 at 2pm
- Louth – Mass at 10am in the Augustinian Church in Drogheda, Co. Louth
- Mayo – Ceremony at Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo at 12pm
- Waterford – Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish Church in the Folly, Co. Waterford at 10am
- Westmeath - Services throughout Westmeath and an Adoration Altar in Mullingar Cathedral
- Donegal – Mass at 7.30pm on Saturday 19th November in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and on Sunday 20th November at 11am at St Connells Church in Glenties, Co. Donegal
- Carlow and Meath - Prayers and silence at services throughout the counties.
In addition to the activity at local level, the Road Safety Authority will also have a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ at where people who have lost loved ones in road collisions can light a candle and post a message in their memory.
ENDS For further information, please contact: RSA Press Office: 096 25008