"We should drive on our roads as if it was our first time, last time and only time." That's according to Fr PJ Hughes in Mullahoran in relation to road fatalities and the concerning speed of drivers along local roads. Fr Hughes shared his thoughts on today's Joe Finnegan Show when asked about the role of priests during times of tragedy.
When called out to the scene of a road traffic collision, Fr Hughes said your thoughts are immediately with the family of the deceased who are at home, perhaps in their beds and totally unaware of the devastating news which they are about to receive. A total of 100 people have died on Irish roads so far this year. Fr Hughes says that the role of a priest is to bring some understanding, acceptance or peace to the hearts of those grieving in their time of suffering and sadness. The Mullahoran priest also believes that roads are becoming more dangerous each day and has encouraged drivers to "slow down."
"Our roads are getting worse everyday, people are losing patience and driving too fast and in many cases it's innocent people dying," said Fr Hughes. "There's a sign in the presbytery where I was saying mass recently and it said say this mass as if it was your first mass, last mass and only mass. Same thing applies for going out on the road. I think everyday we get up we should thank God that we have the gift of life to be able to drive on the road. We should drive on the road as it was our first time being cautious and careful, our last time and our only time as we have to be careful in everything that we do. You can't leave God out of the equation because he saves us."
