Renewed Push To Combat Careless Driving And Speeding

The Department for Infrastructure has renewed its partnership with the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership (NIRSP) to launch two road safety campaigns.

The first campaign, which highlights the dangers of careless and inattentive driving, will return this year. This issue is the leading cause of road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland, with 576 people killed or seriously injured in 2023 alone.

The second campaign, 'Classroom', will also return to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. In the past five years, 297 people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of speeding-related collisions.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd emphasized the importance of these campaigns in reducing road traffic accidents and saving lives. He highlighted that even a small reduction in average speed can significantly impact the number of collisions.

Minister O'Dowd said: "Too many people sadly lose their lives or are seriously injured as a result of careless driving and that is a tragedy for their families and friends.

"We all know the dangers of drink/drug driving, excessive speed for the road or conditions and that wearing a seatbelt can save our life if involved in a collision.

"However, perhaps we are not aware of the potential serious consequences of careless or inattentive driving. "This campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of careless driving so that we all improve our behaviours as road users and save lives.

"I welcome this renewed collaboration between my Department and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership which makes it possible to use a range of media channels to highlight the dangers of careless and inattentive driving."

Chair of the NIRSP, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, said: "The Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and we are delighted to continue working with the Department of Infrastructure.

"Working collaboratively with DFI we will focus on those behaviours that cause the greatest harm, namely the "Fatal Five" of drink driving, speeding, careless driving, not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

"We are happy to support the Department's information campaign which educates and warns people of the risks, especially around careless driving and speeding.

"This is vital in changing behaviours. Let me take this opportunity to remind people to slow down and not to get careless whilst driving. It may save yours or someone else's life."

The careless / inattentive driving campaign will air in December 2024 and February 2025.

The anti-speeding 'Classroom' campaign will air in January 2025.