Christmas Road Safety Message from An Taoiseach

A lot of good work has been done, and there is a lot more underway to make our roads safer. Government is playing its part. New legislation on issues such as mandatory alcohol testing and penalty points, extra enforcement resources, establishment of the Road Safety Authority and high profile advertising are just some of the important measures taken in 2006. If everyone plays their part, we can as a nation make road safety a real success story in 2007.

So I want to take this opportunity to thank and compliment each person who has already exercised personal responsibility, and improved their own behaviour as a road user. I know it can be hard. I know it can be inconvenient but quite simply it is life saving. To you that have changed your behaviour in some way, such as stopped drinking and driving, reduced your driving speed, worn your seat belt, worn high visibility clothing as a pedestrian, worn a cycle helmet, installed a child safety seat or taken some other lifesaving decision, I thank you.

I want to single out the emergency services for special praise. To the men and women of An Garda Siochana, ambulance paramedics, the fire brigade and the doctors and nurses who fight daily to save lives we thank you. I hope you get a restful break over the Christmas.

Unfortunately too many of our community are killed needlessly and many more are seriously and permanently injured on our roads. To the minority who continue to disregard the rules of the road, I call on you today to stop and think for just a few seconds. You can prevent death, injury, trauma and hardship on our roads. Please, take responsibility for your behaviour, and treat other road users the same way you would want them to treat you.

Finally, I would once again like to thank everyone who has co-operated with the new measures being introduced, and who has adjusted their own behaviour to help reduce death and injury on our roads. And I take this opportunity to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and, above all, safe, New Year.

Ends

22nd December 2006