World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims
Today Sunday 15th November is World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.
According to the Road Safety Authority:
‘Tragically up to Friday 13th 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.’
Gay Byrne, Chairman of the Road Safety Authority said the day should serve as a reminder to us all of just how vulnerable we are on the roads and that ‘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.
I can vouch for that. My mother was killed in a road traffic accident on 19th July 1991.
Gay Byrne added ‘… 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.’
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Very sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and your mother today.
Oh Lily, I am so sorry for your loss in such tragic circumstances. I cannot begin to imagine the horror of losing a loved one in this way. Driving from Dublin to Limerick as I do each week, I get the opportunity to witness first hand the madness on the road due to speeding and reckless overtaking. I am acutely aware of how dangerous our roads are and always breathe a sign of relief when I arrive safely at my door. Thank you for giving us all pause for thought today.
Clare, thank you
Marie, it’s exactly what you say, I was focussing on the madness on the road. I thought Gay Byrne’s points were spot-on, the devastation that is so preventible. I didn’t want people at all to feel they had to sympathise with me. We are only one family in 22,646 (since 1959). It’s probably just because it happened to us that I notice that today is an international day for remembering victims of RTAs.
I often wonder how effective those county signs with the number of road deaths are? We all need to take note of our speed and the road conditions.
Lily I will be thinking of you this evening.
read this earlier before hitting the road home from Galway – I’m always aware of dangerous driving because I spend so much time on the road & see so many lunatics out there, but was particularly conscious of it today… thanks for posting it
Lily
By personalising the tragedy in your own family, you’ve succeeded in bringing home the message that nobody is immune to the awful loss of life on our roads.
I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your Mum in tragic circumstances.
Grannymar, I doubted their usefulness, particularly when the number was crossed out and a different number entered. Come to think of it, I haven’t noticed them lately, maybe those signs have been removed?
I do think the videos of gruesome road accident on TV ads are useful.
Helen, you are welcome. As you say, there are so many lunatics on the road.
Steph, thanks, I am glad there was so much focus on RTAs on the news yesterday. It’s not even just the number of deaths. The devastation caused by acquired brain injuries is also worth highlighting.