Infrastructure Minister has urged the public to focus
on road safety as 2026 gets under way.
Minister Kimmins made the appeal as provisional figures released
by the PSNI today show that 57 people died as a result of road
traffic collisions in 2025.
Sixty nine people lost their lives on the roads in 2024.
Reflecting on the loss of life, Minister Kimmins said:
“I wish to offer my sincere sympathies to all those who have lost
loved ones and to those who endure life-changing injuries through
road collisions.
“As we start a new year, I would urge everyone to resolve to have
a greater focus on road safety, so we can prevent collisions and
save lives.
“We all share the responsibility for road safety as evidence
shows that more than nine in ten deaths and serious injuries are
due to human error. So if you are driving, slow down; pay
attention and look out for other road users; leave the mobile
phone alone; always wear a seatbelt and NEVER ever drink or take
drugs and drive.”
Continuing Minister Kimmins said:
“What is particularly shocking this year is the high number of
deaths of some of the most vulnerable road users. Sixteen
pedestrians were killed on our roads in 2025, and nine of those
were aged 65 or over.
“As we go into 2026 and the dark winter nights continue can we
all as drivers look out for people walking, especially older
people who may be more vulnerable on our roads. If you are
walking, whether using a footpath, walking along a country road
or simply crossing the road, please always be aware of your
surroundings. And if you are a cyclist or motorcyclist, please
ensure you put your safety first.
“However we choose to travel, each one of us has a responsibility
to ourselves and others to do so safely. By each and every road
user taking personal responsibility, we could see a reduction in
the number of people being killed or seriously injured.”
The Department for Infrastructure is actively committed to
improving safety on our roads and continue to work closely with
our road safety partners in the PSNI, the Fire and Rescue
Service, the Ambulance Service and many other agencies to deliver
a programme of road safety education, engineering and enforcement
initiatives.
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson from the Police Service of
Northern Ireland's Operational Support Department said:
“We do not want to see any more families lose a loved one on our
roads and suffer unimaginable heartache.
“As a Police Service, we will continue to do all we can to make
our roads safer for everyone, but we also need all road users to
play their part.
“Every single one of us has a responsibility to keep ourselves
and other road users safe. Our roads are such busy places for
drivers, pedestrians and other users. Our appeal is remember the
fatal five and how they have no place for when you get behind the
wheel of a vehicle - don't drink or take drugs and drive; slow
down; don't be careless; always wear your seat belt and never use
your mobile phone while driving.”
Notes to editors:
- Provisional figures released today by PSNI show that in 2025
there were 57 deaths on roads in Northern Ireland as a result of
road traffic collisions (up to 11.59pm on 30/12/2025). This
compares to a total of 69 deaths for the full year of 2024 and
71deaths in 2023.
- There have been 751 people seriously injured on our roads
from 1st January to 30 September 2025. This compares to 653 for
the same period in 2024, an increase of 98 people seriously
injured and a further 4,961 people slightly injured. Total
fatalities were down by 10 when compared to the same period of
2024. Pedestrian KSIs between January to September 2024 and
January to September 2025, increased by 36. This was an increase
of 34.0%. A final total for 2025 will not be confirmed by PSNI
until spring 2026.
- The highest monthly death toll across the year was November
when nine people died on our roads.
- Road user fatalities in 2025, by category, are as follows;
Pedestrian 16; Driver 18; Passenger 13; Pedal Cyclist 1;
Motorcyclist 6; Pillion Passenger 0; Other Road User 3 -Total 57
- There were three child (under 16) fatalities recorded in
2025, zero child fatalities recorded in 2024 and three in 2023.
- There were nine older people pedestrians (65+) recorded in
2025, 2 older pedestrians in 2024, and 4 in 2023.
- The most common principal causation factors for KSI
casualties during the reporting period (between 1st January 2025
and 30th September 2025) were ‘inattention or attention diverted'
(79 KSI casualties), ‘wrong course/position' (72), and
‘impairment by drugs or alcohol - driver/rider' (63).
