General
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
By Noel Gibbons
16, Nov 2008 - 11:00

Sean Costello tenor will perform at a special ceremony at 12 mid day on Sunday 16th November  Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo, to remember people who have been killed and injured on the nation’s roads. He will be the guest singer at a Mass to coincide with the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims on Sunday 16th November. There will be 32 balloons released at the event, each balloon representing each County that have suffered by the loss of life and serious injuries by road collisions.

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 on fatal road accidents. The price in terms of human loss, grief and care is immense.

 "It is a very fitting tribune to all our lost loved ones, to have a day each year set aside in memory of their life on this earth" said Susan Gray, founder and National Chairperson of PARC, "It is also a day to remember all those who have been seriously injured on our roads, many needing permanent care for the rest of their lives. This is also a day to remember all the grieving families left behind with the heartbreaking pain of never seeing our loved ones again."

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 Knock Shrine ceremony is being organised by Mayo County Council, whose Road Safety Officer Noel Gibbons said “we are delighted that Sean Costello  has come on board to promote road safety, and he also speaks passionately about the matter. We need more and more people saying what he’s saying because we are losing too many people on our roads.”

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 disasters. 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 counsellors. 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 been supported by the RSA,Mayo County Council,PARC(Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Care on our roads), Gardai and the emergency services.