Two road safety campaigns to be launched in Northern Ireland
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
Two road safety campaigns are to be launched in Northern Ireland to highlight the dangers of careless driving and speeding.
The Department for Infrastructure has said a collaboration with the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership (NIRSP) will be renewed.
A campaign highlighting the danger of careless and inattentive driving will air in December 2024 and February 2025, and the anti-speeding “Classroom” campaign will air in January 2025.
The department said careless driving, which includes inattention or attention diverted and driving too close, is the number one reason behind car crashes in Northern Ireland.
In 2023, 576 people were killed or seriously injured as a result of collisions due to careless driving.
In the past five years, 297 people have been killed or seriously injured on the roads because of speeding.
In the past 10 years, 4,711 people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of crashes due to careless driving.
NI Infrastructure Minister John 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.”
PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, chairman of the NIRSP, 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.”
