DONEGAL County Council
has issued a strong message urging an end to the
"truly horrific" scenes of carnage on our roads.
In a statement released for the August Bank Holiday
and following the worst week on Donegal's roads in
years, the local authority said: "We as a community
have had far too many tragedies, particularly road
traffic collisions. No family should have to suffer
the pain and loss of a loved one as a result of a
road traffic collision. It should never be forgotten
that behind every figure and statistic are real
tragedies and real victims with real lives lost."
The statement continued: "Road safety is not issue
for the authorities alone. Each one of us who use
our roads can make a difference and should take a
moment to reflect on how we use the roads and
whether or not we could improve our driving and
ensure that we do not become another bleak statistic
— or the cause of one. These recent tragedies have
changed countless lives forever."
Tragically, six people have lost their lives on
Donegal roads in 2016 - five of those in the space
of 48 hours this week.
Meanwhile, road safety officer Brian O’Donnell
added: “August bank holiday marks one of the busiest
and most dangerous weekends of the year on the
roads. Far too many people have lost their lives on
our roads and if the current trend continues, the
RSA have said that 80 more people could lose their
lives in preventable and unnecessary road collisions
this year."
Mr O'Donnell urged drivers to be mindful of weather
conditions; to reduce speed; never drink and drive;
never drive while fatigued and for all car occupants
to wear their seatbelt. |