A Christmas Road Safety Message from Wexford's Emergency Services

As the festive season approaches Wexford’s emergency services are urging the public to prioritize road safety. “We want people to get home safely for Christmas,” said Sergeant Niall Maher of An Garda Síochána, “It’s about changing our attitudes and behaviors on the roads to prevent fatalities,” Sergeant Maher was speaking at the launch of a road safety appeal from Wexford's Emergency Services today on South East Radio's Morning Mix. Sergeant Maher was representing the Gardai, Ger Carthy & Dave Kiely from the Ambulance Service & Jim Foley from Wexford's Fire Service. Since the start of 2025, 180 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish roads—an increase of 16% compared to last year. That’s 180 families who will have an empty seat at their Christmas table. The message from the fire service and ambulance crews echoed this urgency. Jim Foley of Wexford's Fire Service, who has responded to hundreds of fatalities in his 29 years of service, shared the lasting emotional impact of these incidents. “I’ll never forget the first fatality I attended,” he said, recalling a tragic case involving a young child. “It stays with you.” The team urged drivers to take responsibility, especially during the busy holiday season. “We see it every day—dangerous driving, speeding, people not wearing seat belts,” said Des from the Ambulance Service. “Make the right choice: don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, don’t use your phone behind the wheel,” he urged. Sergeant Maher concluded, “This Christmas, let’s all be responsible. If we change our behavior, we can ensure a safer holiday season for everyone in Wexford and beyond.” The full interview can be listened to on our podcast page