Christmas road safety campaign launched

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority today launched their annual Christmas and New Year campaign called "Crashed Lives".

This year's campaign, launched in Dublin today by President Mary McAleese, focuses on those who have been seriously injured on our roads, and all families who have suffered the consequences of road collisions.

It was revealed at the launch that 22,882 people have lost their lives on Irish roads since records began in 1959 and that 66,773 people have suffered serious life-changing injuries in crashes since serious injures were first recorded in 1979.

A series of television adverts will be aired over the holiday season, featuring true life accounts of road tragedies.

“We are all here because we hope that this Christmas road safety campaign will save lives," President McAleese said.

The President said that there was no corner of this island that had not been affected by road deaths and injury.

She reminded everyone of the dangers faced at this time of the year when using the roads and asked everyone to remember those who have been affected by road tragedy particularly those who have been killed, the injured survivors and families.

Chairman of the RSA Gay Byrne said the campaign was about the ‘forgotten victims’ of road collisions.

"For every death on EU roads, there are at least 8 serious injuries ranging from severe brain damage, lifelong disablement and spinal cord injuries," the veteran broadcaster said.

"Simply put, for these people and their families, life will never ever be the same.

"Our message today is simple - don’t take life for granted. Stay safe on the roads and make sure you get home safely this Christmas.”

A total of 205 people have been killed in road collisions to date in 2010 compared to 232 deaths to the same date in 2009. This represents 27 fewer deaths this year compared to last year, or a 12% decline.

When broken down by road-user, this represents 91 drivers, 50 passengers, 42 pedestrians, 16 motorcyclists and 5 cyclists who have died on Irish roads to date this year.