World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to be commemorated on Sunday 20 November

• 24,814 killed and 86,703 seriously injured on Irish roads since recording began
• Remembrance ceremonies to take place nationwide
• Road users urged to use the day to reflect on road behaviour 

Global ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ will be marked this Sunday, 20 November in Ireland at commemorative events around the country to remember those who have been killed, those who have been injured and all families who have been touched by road trauma.

24,814* people have died on roads since Ireland began recording fatalities in 1959. Since 1977, when injury records began, 86,703* people have been seriously injured.

To date in 2022 a total of 135* people have died and 1,056* have been seriously injured.

Today, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) held a special launch event for family members of those who were killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions at Smock Alley Theatre. The event heard impactful contributions from those affected by road trauma and also featured a special performance by the Dublin Gospel Choir.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton said: “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims allows us to come together and honour the memories of those who have been tragically killed or seriously injured on our roads. It is also a time to acknowledge their families and loved ones and consider the impact that road deaths and serious injuries have on communities. It is also a time for us to acknowledge the work of the emergency services and those providing care to those affected by road trauma. This coming Sunday, I ask that we all take a moment and remember everyone who has been affected by collisions on our roads. As we honour their memory, please make time to think about how you can make a positive change.” 

Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority said: “Since we officially began recording road deaths in this country in 1959, 24,814 people have died on Irish roads. That’s the equivalent of the population of the town of Ennis. Since we began recording serious injuries in 1977, a total of 86,703 people have been seriously injured. To put this in perspective, the number of serious injuries is equivalent to the population of Galway. As we mark World Day of Remembrance on its 16^th year, it is also a time to remind ourselves of the responsibility we all have when using the roads. I am asking everyone, out of respect to victims of road traffic collisions and their families, to reflect on our own behaviour on the roads, and consider what we can do to make them safer. Small changes can make a big difference.”

Ms. O’Donnell also highlighted the work of the emergency services and especially other vulnerable road workers like school wardens and road maintenance workers. “The road is their place of work, and all road users need to respect the work they do and drive with greater care by slowing down when they see them on the road.”

In 2005, the United Nations declared ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ as a global day to be observed every third Sunday in November each year, as the “appropriate acknowledgement for victims of road traffic injuries and their families”. The day provides an opportunity to draw the public’s attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them.

135 people have been killed on Irish roads to date in 2022 this is an increase of 19 deaths compared to the same date last year.

*Note, figures are provisional and subject to change. Fatality figures are for the years 1959-14 Nov 2022. Serious injury figures are for 1977 to 14 Nov 2022.

Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy.
Ireland’s fifth government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% over the next 10 years. This means reducing deaths on Ireland’s roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030. 

The strategy is the first step in achieving the 2020 Programme for Government commitment of bringing Ireland to ‘Vision Zero’. This is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050.

Activities taking place in Ireland to mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims 2022:

Cork

A remembrance mass for victims of road traffic collisions will take place at 11:30am in the North Cathedral, Cork City.

Donegal

A prayer service will be held in memory of Road Traffic Victims in the Milford Public Service Centre at 6.30pm

Kerry

A remembrance mass will take place in St Mary's Church, Listowel at 9am and also in St Mary's Cathedral, New Street, Killarney at 12pm.

Louth

A remembrance service will take place in the Augustinian Church, Drogheda at 1.15pm

Mayo

A remembrance mass will take place in Knock Basilica, Knock at 12pm

Meath

All masses that take place in the Diocese on the weekend of the 20 November will remember victims of road collisions

Westmeath

A remembrance service takes place in Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar at 2pm. You can RSVP to [email protected]

More information on this event can be found on the IRVA Facebook page here