Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure, has become the first Council in Northern Ireland to sign the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ pledge, an ambitious initiative to stop all road deaths in Northern Ireland.
The Council has joined a growing list of organisations who have signed the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ pledge, a huge road safety community programme with a single aim - zero road death in Northern Ireland.
The Council is fully committed to road safety and is encouraging everyone to sign the pledge.
The Borough covers 274 sq miles from the shores of Lough Neagh in the west to the shores of Belfast Lough in the east. Its northern boundary with Ballymena leads to the Glens of Antrim and the port of Larne, while to the south it borders Belfast and Lisburn. It has a population of 142,492 and 65,000 vehicles pass through each day on the M2, one of the major transport corridors through the area
Signing the pledge yesterday, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper, said:
“Road Safety Week’ 19-25 November, is a time for us all to take stock of our responsibilities as road users, think about the consequences of our actions, and be mindful of others using the roads. I am signing the pledge on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, committing to act in the safest possible way on our roads every day, and I encourage others, both organisations and individuals, to do the same."
Councillor Matthew Brady, Chairperson of Antrim and Newtownabbey Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) commented:
“Road safety consistently ranks in the top 4 areas of concern for Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP and we deliver a range of initiatives and campaigns each year to raise awareness on this issue. We are particularly concerned about the increase in numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads this year to date and welcome any further action to promote this essential messaging. I am pleased to be signing the pledge on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP.”
Lynda Hurley, Head of Road Safety Promotion at the Department for Infrastructure said:
“I welcome this opportunity to work partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on this very important community initiative. I thank them for signing the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ pledge, and I hope this encourages others to do the same. The evidence shows that more than 95% of road traffic collisions where someone is killed or seriously injured are due to human error. This means, deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not an inevitable consequence of using the roads. The majority of collisions can be avoided, resulting in less casualties if we make the right choices when using the roads. If we as road users pay attention and stay focused, drive at the appropriate speed for the road or the conditions, never drink alcohol or take drugs before driving and always wear a seatbelt, lives will be saved. Together we can make a difference and move towards zero deaths on our roads by taking the Road Safety Pledge.”
Pledge to ‘Share the Road to Zero’ by clicking here sharetheroadtozero.com
Notes to editors:
- Lynda Hurley Head of Road Safety Promotion at the Department for Infrastructure is pictured with Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper and Chairperson of Antrim and Newtownabbey Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Councillor Matthew Brady.
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