Filming victims of a road crash is a “vile thing” to do and witnesses should do what they can to help instead, the Irish Road Victims’ Association has said. 

Increasingly, people are witnessing road crashes and whipping out their phones in the hope of getting some viral content. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, the association’s Vice President, Leo Lieghio, who lost his own daughter in a road accident in 2005, said he was shocked by people’s behaviour. 

“The first thing people do is come out, pull out their phones, film it and then start sharing it on Facebook,” he said. 

“And not thinking about the people that are in the crash, the hole that this could be causing. 

“It’s a vile thing to be doing, to be honest with you.” 

The scene of a road traffic incident. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy.

Mr Lieghio added that many families are seeing images of their loved ones online before they are officially informed. 

“It’s become far too common,” he said. 

“A crash, it’s not entertainment, it’s someone’s worst day - possibly their last. Filming it just adds more pain. 

“Behind every crash there’s a family; a mother or father, brother or sister waiting for news. 

“Can you just imagine seeing it online before you even get that knock on the door? Getting that knock on the door is bad enough but coming across it online before you’re even told, it’s just traumatising.” 

A road closure sign. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Mr Lieghio continued that while it is “mostly” young people, he has also heard of people in their 40s doing it. 

“It’s all about the likes these days,” he said. 

“The first thing should be what can they do to help, not to pull out your phone. 

“Or if you do pull out your phone call 999 - that’s the thing to do.” 

So far this year, 93 people have died on Irish roads - 12 fewer than were killed in the same period in 2024.

Main image: Flowers left near the scene of a car crash. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie