05/12/2013
Minister Appeals For Safe Driving Over Christmas
Road Safety Minister Mark H Durkan has appealed for road users to take extra care over the Christmas period.
He said: "This weekend sees the Christmas party season begin in earnest, but it is also a time when the nights are at their darkest, increasing the danger. I want everyone to enjoy Christmas and New Year but I want them to do it safely.
"Already this year, there will be 52 empty places at the dinner table this Christmas due to road deaths. Let us all do our best to make sure there are no more."
The Minister continued: "It can be tempting to take an unplanned drink, particularly at Christmas parties, and consider driving home. However, even small amounts of alcohol impair driving, so thinking that you can have one drink and drive safely is not realistic. Leave the car at home and use a taxi, bus, train or a designated driver who can enjoy complimentary soft drinks under Coca Cola's Christmas road safety campaign."
Last year, five drivers or riders were killed and 35 were seriously injured in collisions attributed to alcohol or drugs.
The PSNI has launched its winter drive campaign, and will be manning roads in cities and rural areas across Northern Ireland in a bid to reduce drink driving over the festive period.
(IT/CD)
He said: "This weekend sees the Christmas party season begin in earnest, but it is also a time when the nights are at their darkest, increasing the danger. I want everyone to enjoy Christmas and New Year but I want them to do it safely.
"Already this year, there will be 52 empty places at the dinner table this Christmas due to road deaths. Let us all do our best to make sure there are no more."
The Minister continued: "It can be tempting to take an unplanned drink, particularly at Christmas parties, and consider driving home. However, even small amounts of alcohol impair driving, so thinking that you can have one drink and drive safely is not realistic. Leave the car at home and use a taxi, bus, train or a designated driver who can enjoy complimentary soft drinks under Coca Cola's Christmas road safety campaign."
Last year, five drivers or riders were killed and 35 were seriously injured in collisions attributed to alcohol or drugs.
The PSNI has launched its winter drive campaign, and will be manning roads in cities and rural areas across Northern Ireland in a bid to reduce drink driving over the festive period.
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 December 2006
Drink driving campaign figures released
Over 100 drink drivers have been caught each week during the current PSNI Christmas anti-drink driving campaign. A message saying 'we warned you' was issued by police as they released that 217 drivers had been detected as being over the limit throughout the first two weeks of their annual winter campaign.
Drink driving campaign figures released
Over 100 drink drivers have been caught each week during the current PSNI Christmas anti-drink driving campaign. A message saying 'we warned you' was issued by police as they released that 217 drivers had been detected as being over the limit throughout the first two weeks of their annual winter campaign.
04 September 2008
Jailed Joyriders' Grave Record
Two car thieves with more than 150 convictions between them have each been jailed for two years - although that fate seems less dramatic than that of other so-called 'joyriders', several of whom have been killed.
Jailed Joyriders' Grave Record
Two car thieves with more than 150 convictions between them have each been jailed for two years - although that fate seems less dramatic than that of other so-called 'joyriders', several of whom have been killed.
29 May 2012
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
11 November 2024
New Road Safety Campaign Warns Of Drink Driving Dangers
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has unveiled a new public information campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drink driving, particularly during the upcoming festive season. The campaign, titled 'RoadWise Up', aims to highlight the severe consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol.
New Road Safety Campaign Warns Of Drink Driving Dangers
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has unveiled a new public information campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drink driving, particularly during the upcoming festive season. The campaign, titled 'RoadWise Up', aims to highlight the severe consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol.
29 June 2021
Rehabilitation Training To Be Offered For All Drink Driving Convictions
Drink driving legislation has been changed to offer all those convicted of drink drive offences the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training.
Rehabilitation Training To Be Offered For All Drink Driving Convictions
Drink driving legislation has been changed to offer all those convicted of drink drive offences the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.