Poots Targets Road Safety As Priority

There has been an appeal for drivers and other road users to exercise even greater caution as the winter nights close in.

As NI Road Safety Week kicked off, the Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots said that every single person must do their best to keep NI's roads safe.

That was the clear message from Poots today at the start of Road Safety Week: "So far this year 51 people have been killed and my thoughts are with each of those bereaved families.

"Every death has tragic consequences so as road users, we each have a responsibility to do what we can to remain safe.

"Road Safety is my greatest priority and I am committed to ensuring that everything possible is done to prevent further deaths and serious injuries," he said.

During Road Safety Week a series of events supported by DOE as well as PSNI, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Brake UK and others will raise awareness of how dangerous the roads are.

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.

"While deaths are half of what they were this time last year, the recent upsurge in deaths and 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 or if drink or drugs have been consumed.

"Pedestrians should always use footpaths, where possible, and wear bright or fluorescent clothing at night," he said, noting that with darker evenings, wet roads and more traffic everybody on the roads needs to take extreme care.

"We cannot become complacent. If you make a mistake - it could cost another road user their life."

(BMcC/GK)