11/03/2016

116 Road Deaths Caused By Careless Driving Over The Last Five Years

A total of 116 people have lost their lives due to careless driving over the last five years.

The figures, released by the Department of Environment (DOE), also revealed this was almost 40% of the total number of deaths, 298, on NI roads from 2010 to 2014.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched two new adverts addressing driver distraction.

Minister Durkan said: "Distraction is our key focus in these adverts given the high number of people who have lost their lives due to distraction.

"Young passengers and young drivers can be a lethal combination. Young drivers are particularly susceptible to distraction, especially when driving with other young people in the car. What we are clearly saying here is that the car is not a mobile living room.

"Young drivers often don't have the confidence to challenge horseplay and succumb to group peer pressure so that they don’t spoil the fun. My message to them is: do have the confidence to say wise up. Your car, your rules."

(CD)

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