On Sunday 17th November, the victims of road collisions will be remembered on ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’. To mark the day, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Local Authorities, members of An Garda Síochána and the Emergency Services are joining forces to urge people to consider their behaviour on the roads as a mark of respect to those who have lost their lives on Ireland’s roads.

“23,405 people have died on Irish roads to date (14 November 2013) since records began in 1959. A further 76,129 received serious, life-changing injuries over the period 1977 to 2012. And already this year, 165 families, friends and communities have been left devastated by the loss of a loved one. That’s 20 more families grieving than the same period last year.

“ This weekend, commemoration services, masses and events will take place throughout the country to remember those who have died or been seriously injured on our roads, and the families and friends who are left grieving for their loss. A full list of the events taking place to mark ‘World Remembrance Day’ is available here.

The following activities will mark ‘World Remembrance Day’:

Galway PARC Road Safety Group, ‘Promoting Awareness, Responsibilty and Care on our roads’, is holding their annual Remembrance Day Ceremony in the Menlo Park Hotel, Headford Road, Galway on Sunday 17 November at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

In conjunction with this international day, PARC is re-launching an updated version of their free guide for families of victims, entitled ‘Finding Your Way’ which is designed to help families of victims following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a road traffic collision.

For further details of the event, contact Susan Gray, CEO of PARC Road Safety Group on 086 377 3784 or email[email protected].  More information on PARC is available at www.parcroadsafety.ie

Louth The Road Safety Officer in Louth has requested all religious groups in the county to read out a notice at their Church service on WRD. People are being asked to remember and pray for the victims of road collisions and their families, and if appropriate, to light a candle in their memory.

Mayo A service will take place at Knock Shrine in Mayo at 12pm on World Remembrance Day to remember those who were injured or lost their lives in road collisions and to recognise the work carried out by the Emergency Services. After the service, refreshments will be served and there will be an opportunity for people to chat. The service is being organised by Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council.

Cork A mass will take place in Cork City in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street, (Shandon) at 11.30am on Sunday 17 November. It will be attended by personnel from the emergency services, road crash survivors and families of those who have lost loved ones on the road.

Westmeath The Irish Road Victims’ Association, with the assistance of Westmeath County Council, will be holding a special ceremony at our Memorial Garden for Road Traffic Victims in Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath at 2.30pm on Sunday 17 November on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

In a short multi-denominational ceremony of music, song, poetry and prayer, candles will be lit in memory of all of our Loved Ones who have tragically lost their lives on our roads. Those who have been injured in road collisions will also be remembered as well as the great work of the Emergency Services.

The Mullingar Youth Orchestra and a lone piper will play at the ceremony, along with Soprano and Vocalists Helen Hassett, John Smyth and Noel O’Farrell. Those attending are requested to bring with them a photo of their lost loved one, friends or colleagues which will be placed on our Remembrance table during the ceremony. Scrolls with photos of our lost loved ones will be displayed to show the faces behind the statistics, the human impact of road traffic collisions. Each one, much more than just a number to their family and friends who are left behind to pick up the pieces with a lifetime of great loss and pain.

If you would like to include your lost loved one in these special scrolls for the World Day of Remembrance, please email a photo with details to [email protected] asap.

We will launch balloons and Chinese lanterns during the ceremony in memory of all of those who have tragically lost their lives, and as a sign of hope for the future safety of our road users. The theme of this year’s event is ‘From Global Remembrance to Global Action across the Decade, let’s have roads that are safe for all and let’s make 2011-2020 a decade to remember’.

To mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, the RSA will have a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSAireland .

The Wall of Remembrance is a place for people to come and share their memories, to light a candle and leave a memorial message for a loved one who has been killed or seriously injured on our roads. A local radio advertising campaign will also be on air next week to remind people to remember the victims of road collisions.