THE RISING toll of death and injury on our roads - which claimed yet more lives at the weekend - has reached crisis point.
The sad reality is that one can be certain that, come any Monday morning, we will hear a list of road fatalities read out on RTE news bulletins in regard to weekend accidents, and Donegal usually features, Unfortunately, unless we know someone involv
ed, it goes right over our heads. We have become almost inured to tragedy. This is totally wrong. What the statistics don't bring home is the absolute gut wrench reality of what a road death does to a family.
Indeed, one can only imagine the dreadful heartbreaking mood that now pervades the homes of those killed over the weekend.
In many instances, young people in the prime of their lives have been taken. Parents are left to grieve the rest of their days over a life not lived to the full. Birthdays, anniversaries, and events such as Christmas are like stab wounds.
But whether it is a father, mother, brother or sister, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether it is a Monday or a Friday or a Saturday. Death destroys.
Safety must become a priority for all road users. Far too many people die each year on Ireland's roads. And the real tragedy is that most of these deaths are avoidable. There is only so much government departments and agencies can do. The onus is on every road user to take care and give some thought when they get behind the wheel of the car, get on a bike or go walking.
Less speed, belting up in the car and paying attention to the road ahead can cut down on road deaths. We must all take the decision to act responsibly and cut the number of road accidents occurring on our roads.
Some accidents may be difficult to avoid but if every road user behaves with caution and courtesy at all times, the overall total can only drop sharply.
