Clerics in Co. Mayo will this weekend bless the county’s roads in a novel ceremony aimed at reducing the number of people who die in traffic accidents each year.

A special ‘Blessing of the Roads Ceremony’ will take place during Masses and Services throughout the county on Easter Sunday as religious leaders back the campaign to make the roads safer.

The ceremony, which will place at all Catholic and Church of Ireland churches on Sunday next, is the brainchild of Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer of Mayo County Council.

“The Blessing of the Roads Ceremony takes places in parts of Australia each year to raise local awareness of road safety, and we are bringing it to Mayo this year,” said Mr Gibbons, who added that 15 people were killed on Mayo’s roads last year. The total so far this year is two.

He added: “The community makes improved road safety a goal in an effort to ensure that the grief associated with loss of life, or serious injury, does not come to them.

“This is the first year we have done the Blessing of the Roads Ceremony in Co. Mayo and we have got a very enthusiastic response. There are still too many drivers under the impression that an accident won’t happen to them.

“The trauma of road crashes to families and communities is devastating. A major focus of the campaign is to promote the issue of driver fatigue, drink-driving and speeding, as well as praying for the safety of not only all road users, but our Gardai and emergency services.”

Tuam archdiocese spokesperson Fr Fintan Monaghan said the church was “fully behind the campaign. We all need to play our part to reduce the number of road deaths.”

The proposed prayer is a variation on this old Irish blessing:

“May the roads rise to meet you.

May the wind be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

The rain fall soft upon your fields

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May God provide you with the wisdom to consider

Your life and the lives of others on the roads you travel.”