Infrastructure Minister is urging everyone to take
care on the roads ahead of the release of a series of social
media videos, which portrays what happens at the scene of a
serious crash.
Each film looks at the crash scene from the perspective of
firefighters, paramedics and police officers as they arrive on
scene and deal with the devastation.
The social media videos commissioned by the Department for
Infrastructure are being released as Road Safety Week (16 – 22
November) gets under way.
Infrastructure Minister, said: “Road traffic collisions
deeply impact lives, not just of those involved, but their
families and friends too. This includes those who are first on
the scene and deal with the immediate aftermath – the paramedics,
firefighters and police.
“I want to pay tribute to them for everything they do, and it is
so important that these stories are told, which is why my
department has commissioned a series of social media videos to
show the reality of what first responders are faced with in the
aftermath of a serious collision.
“Nobody wants to be involved in a crash, and nobody wants to be
responsible for it either. However, most collisions are
avoidable. The statistics tell us that over 95% of them are
caused by people behaving dangerously, carelessly, or simply
ignoring the law – so my plea is slow down and pay attention.
“Tragically, so far this year, 44 families have received the
devastating news that their loved one is not coming home.”
Last year, a total of 1,008 people were killed or seriously
injured as a result of being involved in a collision.
The Minister added: “Road safety is important all year round, not
just for this week. My department, in collaboration with our road
safety partners, can educate, improve engineering and enforce
road traffic laws, but we all must take personal responsibility
for our own attitudes and behaviours when using the roads.
“So please slow down, pay attention, never drink alcohol or take
drugs if driving, leave the mobile phone alone, take extra care
around our schools and act responsibly on every journey.”
Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Jonathan Wilson
said: “Anyone who has been impacted by a fatal or serious road
traffic collision will know of the trauma involved. So many
people are impacted, including those left injured, the loved ones
left to grieve, to emergency services colleagues responding and
dealing with the consequences.
“Lives are changed in an instant. We all need to work together
towards making our roads safe for everyone. That means adhering
to the Fatal Five – never drinking alcohol or taking drugs and
driving; slowing down; not being careless; always wearing your
seat belt and never using your mobile phone while driving.
“Road Safety Week nationally is about ‘safe vehicles, save lives'
and our appeal is for everyone who drives, to do so safely. It's
about making sure every time you get in your vehicle it is safe.
Road safety is too important to take risks with. Sadly, too many
people have experienced how there are no second chances when it
comes to road safety.”
Chief Paramedic Officer, and Interim Director of Operations with
the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Neil Sinclair has called
on all road users to redouble their efforts to keep themselves,
and others safe on our roads. He said: "Every day, NIAS crews
attend 12 or more incidents on our roads. They provide clinical
and emotional care for patients whose lives have just been turned
upside down, either by injury to themselves or others. Sadly, in
more than 40 cases this year, lives have been lost.
“The impact of this trauma is also felt by the men and women of
the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service who are often members of
the communities in which these incidents happen. Our staff feel
the hurt and the pain that is visited upon their friends and
neighbours. In this Road safety Week, and beyond, I ask
you, when using the road, to commit to being a role
model to your friends and families, by simply respecting others.
We all know the behaviours that lead to death and injury - let us
not display them.”
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Assistant
Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said: “Alongside
our emergency service colleagues, we witness first-hand the
devastating consequences of road traffic collisions and the lives
that are completely destroyed as a consequence. Every crash
impacts not just the people involved, but their families, friends
and our entire community, including our Firefighters.
“In 2024, Firefighters attended 744 road traffic collisions and
rescued 139 people who were trapped inside their vehicle. We must
all do our part by taking responsibility on our roads. Slowing
down, staying alert and respecting other road users can be the
difference between life or death.”
This Road Safety Week, the Department encourages people to sign
up to Share the Road to Zero and commit to be the best road user
than you can be – whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian,
cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider, and adopt positive road
user behaviours. ‘Share the Road to Zero' is a road safety
community engagement programme that encourages all road users to
take personal responsibility for their own safety and by doing so
also the safety of others on our roads. Signing up is quick, easy
and free at www.sharetheroadtozero.com(external
link opens in a new window / tab) and you will join with
the many others, both individuals and organisations, who receive
regular advice on how to stay safe as you use the road.
