Athlone bridge lighting display to remember road traffic victims

A new lighting display on the White Bridge in Athlone this weekend will mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.

The multi-colour display will be put in place by CIE, with whom Cllr Aengus O'Rourke has been working on the intiative. Cllr O'Rourke said the lighting display planned for the weekend of November 19-21 will “be like no other”.

He said the bridge will be illuminated in a multitude of colours.

“This display will be a very colourful and impactful, and will serve as a powerful reminder to people; on the one hand to remember those lost on our roads, and on the other hand to be careful while using our public roads,” he said.

World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.

Cllr O'Rourke said: “I would like to sincerely thank Irish Rail in Athlone for agreeing with my proposal to participate in this initiative. And for once again pulling out all the stops to set-up this new lighting display and for agreeing to support this very worthy road safety campaign and commemorative event.

The Athlone display comes as local authority road safety officers across Ireland ask us all to shine a light for road safety on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, from 7pm to 8pm Sunday November 21.

As part of the campaign, in memory of all of those who have lost their lives on the roads, council buildings across Ireland will be lit up for that hour in the evening.

Westmeath County Council ask everyone to join in and ‘light up for road safety’ by shining a light or burning a candle in their windows at the same time.

Increasing numbers of people are walking and cycling the roads with their families since the Covid-19 pandemic started, and road safety is now more important than ever.

Road safety officers are imploring the public to be vigilant and conscious of their own safety. 117 lives have been lost on Irish roads to date in 2021.

Donna Price, founder and chair of the Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA), and whose son Darren, a student of AIT, died in a road traffic crash, said: "On the third Sunday of November every year, the UN World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Trauma, we come together to remember and honour our loved ones who have been killed and seriously injured on the roads of the world in totally preventable crashes.

"We acknowledge the wonderful work of the emergency services and first responders who deal with the horrific aftermath of road crashes, often at great risk to themselves, and we thank them for their selfless work.

"We commit to act together to prevent further needless suffering, loss of life and injury, on the roads.

"We all have a role to play, and each of us must play our part, in ensuring safe roads for all.

"Too many lives have already been destroyed forever. Let’s remember our loved ones and honour their memory by ensuring we keep our roads safe. Let’s all get home safely to our families."