Killarney crash - We must try to end this carnage

The road crash near Killarney yesterday in which four young people lost their lives and another was seriously injured is probably the nightmare of the parents of all adolescents. It is another human tragedy that resonates with all parents.

The deaths on Kerry roads have risen to nine this year, while the national total for 2010 currently stands at 137. The latest tragedy comes against the backdrop of the horrific crash in Donegal last month in which seven young people travelling in one car were killed, along with the elderly driver of the car into which they crashed. That was the worst road accident in the history of the state.

In the last eight years, deaths on our roads have declined by over 40%, but there is no room for complacency because in comparison to our overall population, Ireland ranks seventh highest out of the 27 EU states in road deaths.

Unlike the Donegal crash, yesterday’s accident involved only one car. Part of the N72 on which the accident occurred is on the Garda official list of collision-prone zones after four other people were killed and nine seriously injured in a series of separate crashes over a number of years. But residents cannot remember a fatal accident on that gradual bend in the last 20 years.

The occupants of the car were returning home after a night out when the accident happened at 7.10am. A 30-foot skid mark — prior to where the car left the road and crashed into a tree down a 10ft drop — has prompted investigators to conclude that speed was a factor. Any other comments would be just speculation.

Unfortunately, nothing will bring those young people back, but lessons must be learned from what happened — not to apportion any blame but in order to try to prevent similar grief being visited on other families.

This carnage must be stopped. Sometimes it takes the stark reality of a disaster to compel a more realistic attitude towards the dangers of driving. Before young people get behind the wheel of a car more should be done to ensure that they are mindful of both the dangers and the grief of loved ones.

It is particularly disturbing that so many adolescents have been involved in recent accidents. Many more young people have access to cars than in earlier years. Older people may well remember with some degree of trepidation their own early driving days. At the time they undoubtedly thought there were fully competent drivers. On reflection now, after years of driving experience, many realise that they actually took risks and were probably fortunate to get away with them.

Some may say that this is part of growing up, but it leads to too many premature deaths, and the incredible suffering of the families left behind, as well as the lifelong injuries that may have to be endured by “the lucky” survivors of such accidents.