The Department for Infrastructure has published the Road Safety Action Plan for 2023/24.
The 2023/24 Action Plan, which forms part of the Draft Road Safety Strategy for NI to 2030, includes 52 renewed and additional actions that the Department and its stakeholder partners have developed to reduce road deaths and injury as part of its commitment to road safety.
The number of people killed on our roads so far this year is considerably higher (51 as at 31 October 2023) than at the same time in the past two years (43 in 2022, 35 in 2021).
DfI Permanent Secretary Dr Denis McMahon said:
“Too many people are losing their lives on our roads. Behind the statistics, each of those deaths represents a family and community torn apart.
“This action plan, which supports the Draft Road Safety Strategy to 2030, is part of DfI’s work with road safety partners to reduce road deaths. Evidence shows that more than 95% of collisions are due to human error, which means most road deaths are preventable if we as road users make better choices.
“As a society, we need to have more honest conversations with ourselves - and with others - about what we can all do on a personal level to prevent collisions by being the best road users that we can be, whether we are travelling on foot or on wheels. With that in mind, we would encourage road users to back the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ campaign, which is an initiative aiming to reduce road deaths by helping all of us to think about our shared responsibilities, to be aware of our surroundings, and take more care when out and about.”
Signing up to ‘Share the Road to Zero’ is quick, easy and free at www.sharetheroadtozero.com and when you do so, you will receive regular advice on how to stay safe as you use the road.
Together, it is our actions as road users that will make a difference. That means slowing down, always paying attention, reading the road and anticipating the actions of other road users, never driving if you have consumed alcohol or drugs, ignoring your mobile phone and always wearing your seatbelt - no matter how short the journey.
By being more aware of our personal responsibilities and being respectful of other road users, we can all help to reduce road deaths and ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
The Action Plan for 2023/24 is available, along with the Draft Road Safety Strategy to 2030 at: Draft Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030.
Notes to editors:
- The Draft Road Safety Strategy to 2030 was published on 24 October 2022 and was informed by a pre-consultation engagement exercise with key stakeholders, a formal public consultation, and review of evidence and best practice. The Strategy continues to progress as a ‘Draft’ pending Executive approval.
- The Department and its stakeholder partners are committed to road safety. Officials will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout the year to track, respond to, and progress the action plan.
- Follow our road safety social media channels @ShareTheRoadToZero on Facebook and @roadtozero for Twitter
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn