Today is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The event aims to promote road safety by bringing together various state bodies and stakeholders - and is being marked worldwide.
Speaking to WLR News, local road safety campaigner Christina Donnelly, whose son Brendan was killed by a drunk driver in 2009, said the event is particularly relevant in Ireland this year given the steep rise in road deaths.
"It's been one of the worst years, we have lost so many people on our roads. It's tragic. Your heart goes out to the families and you think of the knock on the door which they receive," she said.
Christina was invited to attend an event at Áras an Uachtaráin with President Higgins to mark the occasion this year but is unable to attend. She believes the events which are staged serve a hugely important purpose.
"All over the world on this day people are remembering those who are gone and should still be with us. It's a very warm feeling but a very sad feeling."
She added: "Although it's a very sad day, along with the sadness and the photos and candles and songs being sung, there is also such amazing strength in each venue."
Christina has called on all road users to exercise caution when using our roads and to always be mindful of their responsibilities to other road users.
For your latest Waterford News and Sport, click here
