Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure has announced a
renewed collaboration with the Northern Ireland Road Safety
Partnership (NIRSP) to promote two road safety campaigns.
The collaboration launched a new road safety public information
campaign highlighting the dangers of careless driving in December
last year, followed by the established anti-speeding campaign
‘Classroom' in January 2024.
Minister for Infrastructure, , has announced the return of
the campaigns this year, through a renewed sponsorship agreement
between the Department and the NIRSP.
Careless and Inattentive Driving, which includes ‘inattention or
attention diverted' and ‘driving too close', is the number one
reason for road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland.
In 2023, 576 people were sadly killed or seriously injured as a
result of collisions on our roads due to careless driving.
Regrettably, 297 people have been killed or seriously injured on
our roads because of speeding in the past five years (2019-2023).
In the past ten years (2014-2023), 4,711 people have been killed
or seriously injured as a result of collisions on our roads due
to careless driving.
Every 1mph reduction in average speed has a resultant 5%
reduction in collisions which could, quite literally, be the
difference between life and death.
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.
Notes to editors:
- See the latest statistics road traffic collision statistics
here: Road Traffic Collision
Statistics | PSNI
- Share The Road to Zero is a road safety community programme
with one aim – zero road deaths on our roads. More than 25,000
people have pledged to Share the Road to Zero. Pledge
here: www.sharetheroadtozero.com
