23,949 people have died on Irish roads to date since records began in 1959.
Already this year, 165 families, friends and communities have lost a loved one.
This Sunday is 'World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims'.
For the first time a south east event will be held in Waterford at the Woodlands Hotel between 2pm and 6pm.
Waterford woman Christina Donnelly's son Brendan was a young drink-driving victim at the age of 24 -she's now campaigning for a change in the law.
She says the support she's received from other bereaved family members is invaluable:
"You can feel so isolated and you feel so alone and you feel absolutely drained from wearing so many different hats.
But when you speak to somebody who truly has walked in your shoes, its a wonderful opportunity to share something that you wouldn't perhaps share with somebody else.
And that person will truly understand."
On the day people are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one, there'll be a memorial tree that people can tie ribbons too, they'll light candles and they also have 'bomb bags', the bomb bag contains a bulb that when planted will grow into flowers and a poem.
The Gardai, Ambulance and Fire and rescue staff, a local priest and musicians will all be in attendance on Sunday for the service which is expected to last around an hour and a half.
