But this Christmas, Bertie Ahern's words in relation to road safety are worth careful consideration.

The Taoiseach rightly concentrated on the small minority of drivers who endanger their own lives and the lives of others. He has words of thanks for those who have improved their own behaviour as road users.

There was still a lot of work to do in relation to road safety he acknowledged, and new legislation on issues such as mandatory alcohol testing, and penalty points, are indicators that the government is taking road safety seriously.

The problem, as transport minister Martin Cullen alluded to, is that many road users, especially young people, think they are invincible. Responsibility on the roads does not begin and end with drivers - pedestrians and cyclists need to take special care. But also bearing responsibility are the generous hosts and hostesses who insist on "just one drink" or "one for the road" and put pressure on drivers to comply in the spirit of Christmas.

Road safety is everybody's problem. There is an onus on the government to provide safe roads, reasonable speed limits and a regular garda presence. But there is also an onus on each and every one of us to be aware of our vulnerability every time we step on the road or sit behind the wheel of a car.

As the Taoiseach pointed out, "Too many of our community are killed needlessly and many more are seriously and permanently injured on our roads." We echo his call to those who continue to disregard the rules of the road, to stop and think for just a few seconds. Frost and fog are expected over the coming days. Be careful out there.