Day of Remembrance at Knock Shrine for road traffic victims

A special ceremony will be held at 12 midday on Sunday November 20th at Knock Shrine to remember people who have been killed and injured on the nation's roads.

World road deaths are reaching unacceptable proportions every day. United Nations World Remembrance Day has been organised with special emphasis on remembering all those who were killed and injured in road accidents worldwide.

Given that over 3,000 people are killed and over 100,000 are injured on roads worldwide every day, the world road safety standards have a long way to go before we witness a decreasing trend in fatal road accidents. The price in terms of human loss, grief and care is immense.

Road deaths and injuries shatter lives. The impact of such traumatic events is long-term and the scale of the problem means that each year many thousands of people who have suffered bereavement or injury through a road crash that year, are added to the existing huge group of people already affected.

The Remembrance Day responds to the great need of road crash victims for public recognition, which is readily given to victims of other types of disaster. The day also seeks to acknowledge the work done by all those involved in the aftermath of the crash, fire services, Gardai and ambulance personnel, doctors, nurses and counselors. The day's activities are meant to bring families of those who were injured or killed together and make them appreciate that they are not alone.

The day is being supported by the RSA, Mayo County Council, Gardai and the emergency services.