‘Honest conversations’ needed around road safety – O’Dowd

Date published: 12 September 2024

That was the message from Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd as he launched the ‘Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030’, which focuses on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people.

The Minister was speaking as he launched the ‘Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030’, which focuses on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people.

The Strategy, developed following public consultation and engagement, outlines ambitious road safety improvement targets to 2030 and will play a key role in supporting policies across a number of Executive priorities.

It aims to provide a framework for government and other road safety stakeholders to establish their own road safety plans and recognises that a collaborative approach is required.

The strategy was launched at Crescent Link Fire Station in Derry.

Minister O’Dowd said:

“This strategy will set the direction for future road safety policies and actions. By supporting this Strategy, the Executive are coming together to recognise the importance of road safety and to encourage everyone to take care on the roads by recording their support for the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ road safety initiative.”

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said:

“We welcome the Road Safety Strategy and will continue to work closely with our road safety partners in reducing road deaths. We witness first-hand the carnage on our roads. In 2023, Firefighters attended 723 road traffic collisions and rescued 201 people. As road users we all have a role to play in making every journey safe to ease the pain, loss and suffering to individuals, families and communities.”

An Action Plan has also been developed by the Department with Road Safety partners, to support the strategy. This includes 10 strategic interventions that have been identified as having the potential to create the biggest impact on road safety.

Sadly, evidence shows that more than 95% of road deaths are due to human error – including careless or inattentive driving, inappropriate speed for the road or the conditions, and drink and drug driving account for most deaths and serious injuries.

In 2023, 71 people lost their lives on the North’s roads – the highest number of deaths for eight years. This year’s death toll is currently 41.

John O’Dowd added:

“In the North, the deathrate on our roads is, on average, one per week. It’s a shocking statistic but this is about so much more than that – it’s about people.

“Behind the figures are loved ones who set off on an everyday journey but now, they are never coming home to their family and friends. From the moment that happens, lives are shattered and will never be the same again.

“The PSNI, NI Ambulance Service and the NI Fire and Rescue Service have also joined my department, along with DoJ and DAERA colleagues, to form a new Strategic Road Safety Forum, which will look at how we can work together to improve outcomes.

“The devastation each and every road death leaves in its wake knows no boundaries and as road users we must all do everything we can – both individually and collectively – to reduce road deaths.”