Seven people died on our roads during the last May bank holiday and more than 100 were seriously injured. Those bare statistics insulate us from unpalatable realities. They hide the pain and suffering of those who lost loved ones and of those who survived but whose lives have changed forever.
Such obfuscation must be rejected. We all have an obligation to stop the carnage and to take special care during this long weekend.
Road safety is not a matter for motorists alone. One-in-four of those killed on our roads are pedestrians. Some are blameless victims. Others have failed to wear reflective armbands. And a high percentage are drunk when they die, some of whom have been lying in the roadway when struck by a vehicle. But the majority of those killed are drivers and their unfortunate passengers.
The introduction of a penalty points system in 2002 had a marked effect on road behaviour. The number of fatal crashes dropped sharply as drivers obeyed speed limits and wore seat belts. But, in the absence of an effective enforcement system, bad habits re-emerged. It has only been in the past year, following the introduction of random breath testing and an increased level of Garda activity, that road death numbers have begun to fall again.
The Road Safety Authority has done good work in encouraging Government investment and in emphasising the role alcohol plays in contributing to avoidable deaths. But road safety is a responsibility that falls to all of us and we must modify our behaviour if there is to be a reduction in the number of devastated families and bereaved children.
Progress is being made. But much remains to be done. The long-promised speed cameras have not yet been installed. Driving standards are poor and the number of provisional licence holders is unacceptable. But the quality of our major roads has improved significantly. If Garda enforcement continues at its present level, we could return to road death figures not seen since the 1960s when traffic was light and roads were uncongested. That would be a considerable achievement. But it will take a sustained effort by all concerned. A culture of alcohol abuse and of "boy racers" has to be confronted and changed. Car passengers have to speak up in selfprotection. Speed limits must be honoured and safety belts worn. It's not rocket science.
Make a resolution for this weekend. Don't become a statistic. If you drive, don't drink. And if you drink, do so in moderation before walking home. Take care and enjoy the holiday.