You can’t turn back time
Date: 09-12-2020
2020 has been a very challenging year in many ways for most people , it has also been a year that too many love ones have lost their lives on Irish roads, that’s why road safety officers from all over the Country have teamed up to highlight this worrying trend.
Road users are being encouraged to watch an emotive video (below) to gain an understanding of the challenges Gardai face when dealing with the aftermath of a fatal collision.
The devastating moment a Garda knocks on a door after a fatal road crash has been highlighted in a video clip designed to reduce collisions on our roads.
The video, entitled ‘You can’t turn back time ,’ depicts scenarios in which a Gardai deliver life-changing news to the families of a road victim, killed in a crash caused by one of the Fatal Four’ causation factor - speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, drink and drug driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.
“I hope that ‘You can’t turn back time’ will impact on the behaviour of all road users in our County and beyond and help to make our roads safer by reducing the number of injuries and collisions.
Let’s hope it stops a Garda, from having to do the toughest job there is, to date 133 people have lost their lives on Irish roads.
Sergeant James Malone Castlebar Traffic Policing unit said about breaking the news to relatives “It’s absolutely heart-breaking, it’s a very difficult thing to deal with for all sorts of reasons you can imagine.
“Thinking beyond that, it’s the door you have got to knock on and tell a family they have lost someone.
“Leading up to Christmas these are families for whom Christmas is never going to be the same again.”
Noel Gibbons Road Safety Officer said “Whilst those numbers may have reduced over the years so may sound positive to some people, it’s important to remember that these are far from simply ‘numbers’. Each one is a life gone, a family grieving, an empty chair at Christmas, a mother, father, son or daughter never coming home. Each one is a knock on the door. Each one is a family turned upside down with a few words from one of us.
“So this year, Take those extra couple of seconds to check at junctions not just for oncoming vehicles, but how fast they’re coming.
“Take those extra couple of seconds to check your blind spot before starting an overtake, and when you’re out, gauging again whether it really is safe to pass.
“Take those few minutes to check your lights and tyres are all in working order.
“Take that time for others. It could save a life.
“Let’s take another step together along the road to zero this year! Ahead of us”