The Minster for Transport has said we need to take collective responsibility if we are going to reverse the number of deaths on our roads.

Shane Ross is launching a new campaign to support European Day Without A Road Death, next Wednesday, September 21.

Project Edward is a joint initiative of police and road safety authorities across Europe.

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan is urging all road users here to play a part in reducing road deaths: “Statistics can sometimes benign what it means in a human aspect.

“26,000 road deaths right across Europe last year and indeed to think of 70 people a day losing their lives on roads right across Europe.

“Sometimes we can take comfort in the fact that Ireland is the 5th lowest, but that doesn’t really account for people who are bereaved or seriously hurt.”