Northern Ireland

‘Honest conversations’ needed around road safety - infrastructure minister

Department launches ‘Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030′

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd at the official launch of the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 at Crescent Fire Station, Derry. Included from left, are Michael Bloomfield, chief executive, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Aidan Jennings, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, and PSNI Superintendent Jonathan Wilson, Head of Public Order Public Safety Branch.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd at the official launch of the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland (Lorcan Doherty)
By Catherine McGinty

Honest conversations are needed around the issue of road safety, the infrastructure minister has urged.

John O’Dowd was in Derry on Thursday to launch the Department of Infrastructure’s Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland.

“As a society, we need to have frank and honest conversations about what we can all do as road users, no matter how we travel, to ensure that everyone gets home safe,” he said.

The strategy, which focuses on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people, was developed following public consultation and engagement.

Mr O’Dowd said it would set the direction for future road safety policies and actions.

He added: “By supporting this strategy, the Executive is coming together to recognise the importance of road safety and to encourage everyone to take care on the roads by recording their support for the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ road safety initiative.”

“In the north, the death rate on our roads is, on average, one per week. It’s a shocking statistic but this is about so much more than that – it’s about people.

“The devastation each and every road death leaves in its wake knows no boundaries and as road users we must all do everything we can – both individually and collectively – to reduce road deaths.”