How many more must die?
Another weekend has passed, bringing with it the inevitable headlines: another road accident, yet more lives lost.
On Sunday evening, in another awful tragedy to blight Ireland's roads, eight people - seven young men and an elderly man - were killed in a horrific road accident at Drumfries in Inishowen: a truly appalling loss of life.
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 news bulletins in regard to weekend accidents, and the North West regularly features.
Unfortunately, unless we know someone involved, 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 in Sunday evening's accident at Drumfries.
On far too many occasions, it is young lives that are taken, leaving parents to grieve the rest of their days over lives not lived to the full. Birthdays, anniversaries 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 Sunday. Death destroys.
Now more than ever, pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and passengers must all take responsibility for their actions and ensure that, while travelling, road safety is a top priority.
There is no doubt that lives could be saved on our roads if people drove with proper care and attention, slowed down, and wore their seatbelts. It is important that we all reflect on our driving habits. Indeed, we must reflect on whether our driving habits put our own life or other people's lives in danger.
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. 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.
It is only with the support of the whole community that we can plan a strategy that will succeed in reducing further the heartbreaking and totally unacceptable number of casualties on our roads.
Attitudes must change. Quite simply, all who use the roads have got to drive with care and consideration.
How many more must die on our roads before we begin to take the problem seriously?
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Weather for Derry
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
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