The parents of Ciarán, a four-year-old boy who tragically lost his life to a drink driver, are calling for the integration of drivers’ education and road safety into school curriculums to curtail the number of fatal road accidents occurring annually in Ireland. On Tuesday, as they marked the 10th anniversary of their son’s death, Gillian and Ronan Treacy highlighted the need for early instruction of road safety and conscientious driving.
According to Mr. Treacy, targeting the younger generation with this essential message is key, as they will soon embark on their driving journey. By nurturing a responsible driving mindset at a young age, it can lead to a lifetime of safe driving practices. Mrs. Treacy, who was grievously hurt in the catastrophic collision that took her son’s life, added that both theoretical and practical lessons on road safety should be part of school teachings. Recognising the theory is valuable, but its applicability is equally significant, she stated.
Driving distractions are becoming a major problem that’s driving up road fatalities across Europe, according to a related conference. Mrs. Treacy shared that their eldest son Sean, who was present in the car during the fatal incident and will turn 18 this year, will soon start driving. Recalling the tragedy that befell their family, the thought of their son driving is worrisom. She emphasised the importance of making him aware that considerate driving isn’t just about them, but also concerns the safety of other road users.
Having served on the board of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for six years, Mrs. Treacy advocates strongly against reckless behaviours such as drink and drug driving. The couple were faces of the RSA’s “Crashed Lives” television campaign in 2016. They were honoured with the Oisín Crotty Road Safety Award 2024 at the University of Limerick (UL) on Tuesday, an accolade sponsored by ESB and led by An Garda Siochana and the University, in recognition of their significant contribution to road safety.
Sean Crotty, a man from Ballynunnery in County Kilkenny, whose son Oisín Crotty, a 19-year-old ESB apprentice, tragically died in a road accident in 2013 stated: “I am here to honour Oisín’s memory and to help spread awareness about road safety.”
Highlighting the consequences and lasting sorrow of such fatal incidents, Mr Crotty shared: “The aftermath is devastating. We dearly love and miss Oisín, and the pain our family carries is often too much to bear.”
Sergeant Tony Miniter, a member of the Roads Police Unit based in Limerick, described that he has had to break the heartbreaking news to five families that their family member died in road mishaps.
Miniter highlighted the terrible consequences that drink and drug-related driving have on the bereaved, emphasising to young people: “We need to talk about the undesirable consequences of drug use and drink driving – not simply because of the fear of getting caught, but due to the fact that you should want to avoid it.”
The death toll on Irish roads so far this year stands at sixty-three. As reported by Gardaí, 30% of the lives lost were in the age bracket of 16 to 25, during the initial three months of this year.
A spokesperson for Gardaí stated: “The main causes of serious accidents on Irish roads continue to be drink driving, drug driving and speeding.”