Gardai in the North West have issued an emotional message to all road users ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
It comes as figures released earlier this week show that 2023 so far was the worst in six years for road deaths.
168 people lost their lives on the roads in the first half of this year, five of them in the North West.
In a statement, Gardai say that they dread going to the scene of a serious or a fatal road traffic collision.
They also dread having to call to a home to break the worst imaginable news to a family and they do know as they drive up the laneway of a home that what they are about to say will bring their whole world crashing down around them.
Gardai have described this part of their job as soul destroying and in many cases it is avoidable.
They are pleading with motorists to never make the decision to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Slow down. Wear your seatbelt.
Gardai say that the consequences of drink/drug driving and/or speed can be utterly devastating and are also irreversible.
Concluding, Gardai wishes everyone a good and safe Bank Holiday weekend but asked motorists to please drive with care for yourself and for others.
