Irish bishop urges road users to keep safe on holiday weekend

Ahead of this weekend - which is the May bank holiday in both the Republic and Northern Ireland - Bishop Liam MacDaid has asked all road users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones.

Bishop MacDaid said: "Road accidents can have so many contributory factors - weather conditions, speed, alcohol, drugs, high jinks in the car, use of mobile phones, texting while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, tiredness. As of today, road fatality figures so far this year stand at 53 in the Republic and 18 in the North. This loss of human life is heartbreaking for the loved ones of the deceased and a tragedy for our society as a whole. Ahead of this May bank holiday weekend I am asking all road users to exercise particular vigilance in terms of safety and to be responsible on the roads over the coming days. Care for one another in our community is a basic human value across different faiths and cultures. This duty of care also applies to our road use and it is fundamental to the common good of all in society.

"Prayer and reflection can change our driving behaviour, calm our aggression, remind us of the spiritual, moral and physical importance of what we are about to do. I recommend the following dedicated prayer for motorists which can be said before driving:

Prayer for motorists before driving

Holy Mother, hear our prayer,
Keep us in your loving care,
Whatever the perils of the way,
Let us not add to them this day.
So to our caution and attention,
We add a prayer for your protection,
To beg God's blessing on this car,
To travel safely near and far.

Amen."