Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has conducted a series of engagements with schools across Northern Ireland, including Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen and Christian Brothers' Primary School in Armagh, to directly address critical road safety issues with young people.

The visits come as official figures reveal a tragic number of fatalities on Northern Ireland's roads this year, with 50 people having lost their lives, including nine deaths recorded in November alone.

Increased Funding and Safety Interventions

Minister Kimmins stressed the vulnerability of young people and children on the road network, stating that over 95% of road deaths are attributable to human error. She outlined several Departmental actions being taken to improve safety and encourage behaviour change:

• Advertising Budget Reinstated: The road safety advertising budget has been reinstated, with an allocation of £1,946,000 approved for the 2025/26 financial year. This represents an increase of over £1.5 million and enables a full advertising programme targeting vulnerable road users, including campaigns against drug driving and promoting children's safety around buses.

• 20mph School Zones: The Department is moving forward with a third tranche of 20mph zones at schools, a "significant intervention" to enhance safety for staff, parents, and children travelling to and from school. Officials are also exploring options for permanent 20mph zones in residential areas and near schools. • Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL): Preparatory work for the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing is advancing, with the Minister expressing hope that the anticipated introduction date can be announced shortly.

• Speed Limit Review: A public consultation on speed limits is scheduled to be launched early in the new year to further improve road safety.

During her visit to Christian Brothers' Primary School in Armagh, the Minister noted that the school has already benefited from key road safety upgrades, including the installation of a part-time 20mph speed limit, central hatch markings, and school road markings. A PUFFIN crossing on Irish Street also provides safe passage for pedestrians near the entrance. The Minister has instructed officials to conduct an assessment of existing signs and road markings to ensure they remain appropriate.

Minister Kimmins also highlighted the persistent problem of parking congestion around schools at peak times: "I am also acutely aware that parking around schools in an issue at peak times. We do however all need to be mindful of others, particularly vulnerable road users, when parking. Inconsiderate pavement parking is above all a road safety issue. I would ask people to consider if the car journey is absolutely necessary or if in some cases walking or cycling to school is an option."

In concluding her engagements, the Minister reiterated the shared obligation for safety: "Sadly, the reality is that evidence shows that over 95% of road deaths are due to human error so having discussions like the one we are having today play a crucial role in saving lives by changing road user behaviour. As road users, we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe."