Take Care On Dark Winter Roads: Attwood

Every single person in NI has a role to play in preventing death and injury on our roads.

That was the clear message from Environment Minister Alex Attwood today at the start of Road Safety Week today.

The SDLP Minister Alex Attwood said: "So far this year 49 people have been killed and my thoughts are with each of those bereaved families. Every death has tragic consequences. As road users, we each have a responsibility to do what we can to remain safe.

"As Minister with overall responsibility for Road Safety I am committed to ensuring that everything possible is done to prevent further deaths and serious injuries."

The Minister added: "Over the last decade, deaths have steadily declined. However, the brutal reality of road death is that normality can turn to tragedy in an instant. The anguish and grief that comes with it reminds us that we must never, ever drop our guard.

"I implore everyone to always pay attention, slow down, wear your seatbelt and avoid driving when over-tired. Never ever drink and drive or drive if drugs have been consumed. Pedestrians should always use footpaths, where possible, and wear bright or fluorescent clothing at night," he said.

"Likewise I appeal to cyclists and motorcyclists – take extra care at this time and make sure you are always visible. I also call on drivers to look out for those more vulnerable road users.

"And to drivers of larger commercial vehicles - remember, you may feel safe on the road, but your fellow road users are more vulnerable in your presence - please exercise extreme caution at all times.

"With now darker evenings, wet roads and more traffic - I would urge everybody on the roads to take extreme care. We cannot become complacent. If you make a mistake - it could cost you or another road user their life," he said adding that, during Road Safety Week a series of events supported by DOE as well as PSNI, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Brake UK and others will raise awareness of how dangerous our roads are.

Last year on Northern Ireland's roads 55 people lost their lives, the lowest figure on record since records began in 1931. This was a decrease from 115 fatalities in 2009.

However, a further 892 people were seriously injured and 8,010 slightly injured.

This year 49 people have died on the roads compared to 51 at the same time last year and 101 in 2009.

(BMcC/GK)