Concern Over Growing Road Deaths

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has voiced his concern over an increased number of road deaths in Northern Ireland this year, when compared to 2012.

To date 45 people have died on our roads this year. Last year at this point it was 34.

2013 is currently approaching the same amount of road deaths as in 2011, when the number was 59.

The figures have been released through the 2013 Road Safety Monitor Survey, commissioned by the Department of the Environment.

Minister Durkan said: "I do not accept that any road death is inevitable or acceptable and I urge all road users to keep themselves safe, particularly now as the clocks have gone back and the weather will get worse.

"Almost all collisions are the result of human error, so we all need to ensure that our attitudes and our behaviours contribute to road safety in Northern Ireland. It is therefore gratifying that the Road Safety Monitor indicates that most road users’ perceptions are in line with the reasons that collisions and casualties occur on our roads; most people agree that speed, carelessness and drink driving are the main factors in causing collisions and that road users share the responsibility for safety on our roads.

"But we need a further behaviour change. This is being driven ahead through my Department’s Road to Zero campaign, which encourages people to feel personally responsible for their own safety and the safety of those with whom they share the road."

The review found that the three main factors recorded by police that cause road deaths or injury are excessive speeding with regard to conditions (12%), inattention or attention diverted (9%) and driver/rider impaired by drugs/alcohol (8%).

Over a third (36%) of motorists report using a mobile phone while driving, (5% hand held, 28% hands free and 3% sometimes hand held or hands free).

Just over a fifth of drivers who drink alcohol (22%) said they would drive after having one drink.

Drink driving (88%) and drug driving (84%) were the two most frequently cited circumstances when respondents thought the police should have the power to seize a vehicle.

Almost one quarter of motorists (24%) reported that over the past year there had been occasions when they have felt drowsy when they had been driving.

Minister Durkan continued: "The proposed Road Traffic Amendment Bill, currently with the Executive, will help make that change. The Road Safety Monitor clearly shows the strong public appetite for getting tougher on drink driving, for example. My Bill will introduce lower drink drive limits, a new penalty regime and powers for roadside check-points. It includes provisions to better train, test and protect new drivers while they gain valuable experience. I hope to be in a position to introduce the Bill to the Assembly shortly, once I secure the agreement of my Executive colleagues."

(IT/CD)