O’Dowd meets North West Road Safety Partnership

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has paid tribute to a group of people who are working to promote road safety having themselves experienced the devastation of losing a loved one as a result of a road traffic collision.

Members of the North West Road Safety Partnership at a meeting with Minister John O’Dowd on Tuesday. Included are (back L-R) Chris Arthur, Philip McKinney and DfI Divisional Manager Daniel Healy, and (front L-R) Sandy Arthur and Christopher Sherrard

Speaking today after meeting members of the North West Road Safety Partnership (NWRSP), John O’Dowd said:

“When we talk about deaths on our roads, we are all too aware that behind the statistics there are shattered lives; lives which have been forever changed in a split second.

“The ‘Life After’ charity has already done invaluable work in supporting families who have lost a loved one as a result of a road traffic collision and the fact that members have formed the North West Road Safety Partnership to further promote road safety education across the region is to be admired.

“No one ever thinks the worst news will come to their door but, sadly, the statistics show that this year, 45 people have left for a journey and have not arrived home safe.”

The NWRSP was formed by Christopher Sherrard, who lost his father in a road collision, together with other members of the ‘Life After’ charity.

The partnership aims to promote road safety education across the north west, including Donegal, to reduce the number of collisions, to create a safer environment and to advocate for effective road safety policies in the North West.

Following the meeting, Mr Sherrard said:

“The day I lost my father after a road traffic collision had started out as a normal day but it changed my family’s life forever and that’s how quickly lives can be changed.

“We support families who have lost loved ones on the roads and our goal is to reduce the number of families we have to visit.

“The north-west region has been very badly affected by road traffic collisions in recent weeks, which is very concerning to us as a group.

“We are delighted to have met Minister and to have had the opportunity to highlight our concerns around road safety.”

Earlier in September, the Minister launched his Department’s new Road Safety Strategy in Derry where he spoke with emergency service partners about the often devastating reality of road traffic collisions.

Statistics released last week as part of the first Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy (NIRSS) to 2030 Annual Statistical Report, show there were 71 fatalities in road traffic collisions in 2023 and 880 people seriously injured.

Minister O’Dowd added:

“It is a matter of deep regret to us all that we are continuing to see so many lives lost on our roads. These deaths cause so much pain to families and tear communities apart.

“We all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe. I commend the Partnership for the work it is doing in the north west to help people understand why it is so important that we all take more care on our roads and look forward to working with them to do everything we can to improve road safety.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The ‘Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030’ can be read here: Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
2. The Department for Infrastructure’s ‘Share the Road to Zero’ campaign aims to reduce road deaths by encouraging us to take more responsibility and care on the roads. You can pledge to ‘Share the Road to Zero’ online www.sharetheroadtozero.com as an individual or an organisation. 
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. 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.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure on LinkedIn at DfILinked

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