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We've all been there – forced to sit, trapped and frustrated in the car, watching the red lights of hundreds of vehicles in front of us, tailbacks stretching ahead for miles.
We've heard the blaring of angry horns, and have probably witnessed people walking angrily on the hard shoulder or slamming their fists against steering wheels.
But one woman has reminded us all to think twice before getting irate about being stuck in traffic, and to stop and think before venting on social media.
Following a crash on the M50 in Dublin on Wednesday, involving two trucks and a car which left one woman fighting for her life in Tallaght Hospital , Lisa Marie Maher posted a message on her Facebook page .
Ms Maher, a model and dance agency owner, lost her dad Eugene, 62, in July after he was knocked off his bike in Clontarf, north Dublin, the Irish Mirror reported.
His wife, Marie, and son Stephen Maher were said to be "heartbroken" by the accident.
Ms Maher wrote on the social media website: "I'm rarely confrontational as anyone who knows me will agree.
"But a woman this morning is fighting for her life in a hospital, her family are getting that dreaded phone call and rushing from where they are to be by her side.
"Meanwhile, traffic is distrupted for a few hours while investigators do their job to try get justice for the woman and give the family some answers.
"The whole city it seems has nothing more to care about than pissing and moaning about the traffic and how late they will be.
While people's 'lives were affected' my life and my family's life was being torn from the seams
&#13; <p>Lisa Marie Maher</p>&#13;
"My dad was killed 4 months ago on the road, at 6.30pm rush hour traffic on a busy main road into the city, the whole area was closed for 12 hours and I saw posts on Facebook people ranting and raving about the traffic, that it was a disgrace and guards were causing chaos closing the road.
"Well let me tell you about "chaos".... while that was going on and people's "lives were affected" my life and my family's life was being torn from the seams.
"A few hours later everyone got to where they were going and forgot that anything ever happened.
"Well I didn't, and never will and neither will the people who witnessed what happened to him innocently crossing the road.
"So wise up, we don't know who this poor woman is, her family could be on your fiends list and see your pathetic dribble about the traffic chaos.
"Be smart and think of others before yourself. I speak from first hand experience. Show some decency!!!!
"Take a second to send love and strength to this woman and her family and be grateful you will get to where you going, just maybe a little late."
At the time of writing, the post had been shared more than 4,000 times, with comments ranging from: "I don't know you but very well said. I was fed up hearing about the delays today when there is a woman fighting for her life", and, "It's better to arrive at your destination alive an a bit late than never get there at all. I'm so sorry for your loss - my nephew died in a car accident."
One woman, Elaine O'Gorman, admitted she had been stuck in the traffic jam connected to Wednesday's accident "worrying about the taxi fare".
She added: "Then I heard about the accident. Heart renching. Sitting in the taxi took a deep breath and said how lucky am i.
"Bereaved myself it's killing me that my dads not here. But today is with that family and the disbelief that you and me have felt."
Others shared their personal experiences of loss.
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Facebook
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https://www.facebook.com/symon.spencer.9
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Reuters
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PA
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absofaluminium
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Rex
Lynda DeMinico wrote: "My mom was killed by a female tractor/trailer driver who went thru a red light in Georgia. Killed her instantly.
"My younger sister came up to live with me & was diagnosed with MS. She died 2 years after our mom's death.
"Needless to say, I was knocked to my knees. Just please believe that we will all be together someday, and in the prime of our lives."
And some wrote of the need for further reflection. Monica Kelly said: "In one moment people lives can be turned upside down. People need to slow down!!
"And this world of ours would be beautiful if we stopped hurting each other with words and bitterness.
"You can never take back the spoken word! Please think of others first and do a kind deed for someone else and feel the happiness wthin one's selves for helping other."
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