O’Dowd publishes draft Road Safety Strategy for NI to 2030

Date published: 24 October 2022

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has today published the draft Road Safety Strategy for NI to 2030.

This draft Strategy follows a consultation exercise and reflects the continuing commitment to working in partnership to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries across the roads network and to the ongoing development of a safe and sustainable transport network that meets the needs of all road users. 

Minister O’Dowd said: 

“Road safety is an issue that impacts on all of us in our everyday lives and is a matter which I, as Infrastructure Minister, am committed to addressing.

“Across the world deaths on the road remain unacceptably high.  One life lost on our roads is one too many and while there has been considerable progress in reducing road deaths here, there is more that we can and must do to make our roads safer for everyone using them.  

“I thank everyone who responded to the consultation exercise and who contributed to this draft Strategy which is founded on internationally recognised ‘Safe Systems’ principles and identifies strategic priority areas which we within government, along with other road safety stakeholders, need to focus on to deliver strategic outcomes for Safe People, Safe Roads and Safe Vehicles.  

“The challenge is for all of us is to avoid complacency and to build on the progress that has been made towards saving lives and preventing injuries on our roads.  

“Unfortunately, due to the ongoing absence of an Executive, it has not been possible for me to deliver a final Strategy at this time. I have however sought support from Ministerial colleagues to allow my officials to continue to develop preparatory work, and  to co-ordinate with other Departments, on the final form of this Strategy in anticipation of the return of a functioning Executive.”

The draft Road Safety Strategy for NI to 2030 and Consultation Outcome Report are available at:  https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/consultation-outcome-report-new-road-safety-strategy-northern-ireland-2030

Notes to editors: 

  1. The draft Road Safety Strategy to 2030 has been informed by a pre-consultation engagement exercise with key stakeholders, a formal public consultation, which ended on 10 January 2022 and review of evidence and best practice.
  2. A total of 62 formal responses were received.  A number of responses were also received via feedback from questionnaires issued to schools, a school focus group and collaboration with key stakeholders.
  3. Taking into account road safety targets in both an international, regional and local context, a number of key targets have been set for the draft Strategy:
  • To reduce the number of people killed in road collisions by at least 50% by 2030 (a target of fewer than 35 people killed in road collisions)
  • To reduce the number of people seriously injured in road collisions by at least 50% by 2030 (a target of fewer than 376 people seriously injured in road collisions)
  • To reduce the number of children (aged 0-15) killed or seriously injured in road collisions by 60% by 2030 (a target of fewer than 29  children killed or seriously injured)
  • To reduce the number of young people (aged 16-24) killed or seriously injured in road collisions by 60% by 2030 (a target of fewer than 79 young people killed or seriously injured)
  1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
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