Road Safety Week 2024

Monday 18 November 2024

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Partnership (PCSP) are working in partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) to encourage everyone to take responsibility for road safety.

The call comes during Road Safety Week 2024 which runs from 17 -23 November with the theme of this year's campaign announced as 'After the Crash'.

Organised by road safety charity Brake, Road Safety Week is widely regarded as the UK's biggest annual road safety campaign. This year the campaign will bring people together to remember loved ones who have died or suffered life-changing injures in road crashes.

Throughout the week, Brake will share the voices and lived experiences of road victims and showcase the work of its National Road Victim Service, which every year provides expert emotional and practical support to thousands of bereaved and injured families during their darkest and most difficult times.

The week also reminds everyone of key areas of road safety - including safe vehicles, the Highway Code and the importance of keeping everyone safe on the roads - no matter how we travel.

Chair of Mid and East Antrim PCSP, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: "Road Safety Week is the UK's biggest road safety event and, each year, thousands of people around the UK get involved to take action for safer roads.

"Every year, more than 1,700 people die on UK roads. Another 30,000 receive serious, life-changing injuries. Every life on our road's matters. Every time we're on the road we need to consider how our driving can help keep ourselves and others safe. With shorter daylight hours, pedestrians and cyclists should wear brightly coloured clothing when on the public road and fit lights to their bicycles. If a cycle lane exists, then use it as it is a much safer option.

"As we head into winter, it is vitally important we are prepared for the road - watch our speed, ensure our cars are roadworthy, always wear our seatbelt and never ever drink and drive. Motorists should never assume that the roads have been treated with salt and always allow additional time for journeys."

Vice-Chair of Mid and East Antrim PCSP Mr Noel Rogan QPM emphasised the importance of partnership working to help everyone stay safe on our roads: "Within the PCSP, agencies work in partnership on prevention and education activities. We are also very conscious that our colleagues in the PSNI and NIFRS are first responders and have the difficult job of being the first on the scene to Road Traffic Collisions."

"It is essential we all respect the rules of the road. As a father of a young daughter newly qualified it was a happy event watching her drive away in her new car. However, I am much more restful when I hear her come home at night safe.

"My message goes out to all our young drivers - please don't speed, stay off your phone, wear your seatbelt, take careful notice of all road signs and conditions and don't let your passengers distract you. Everyone should come home to their family and friends safe and sound."

PSNI Chief Inspector Adrian Bryan said: "This year's theme is focused on victims and the devastation and impact on families and emergency services after road death.

"57 People have died so far on NI roads in 2024. Throughout the week we will have officers focussing on reducing road traffic collisions by detecting and deterring dangerous driving behaviours, such as speeding, drink driving and distracted driving. We will be improving road user behaviour by enforcing traffic laws and educating drivers, pedestrians and cyclists about road safety rules and regulations.

"We will also be enhancing road safety awareness by raising public awareness about road safety issues through campaigns, educational programs, and community outreach - all with the overall aim to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries on our roads."

NIFRS Station Commander Rick Allen added: "Along with our partner agencies, our Firefighters witness first-hand the carnage, traumatic scenes on our roads and the lives completely destroyed as a consequence. In 2023, Firefighters attended 723 road traffic collisions and rescued 201 people trapped inside their vehicles. As road users we all have a role to play in road safety to ease the pain, loss and suffering to individuals, families and communities caused by road traffic collisions.

"One life lost is one too many so please don't speed, never drink alcohol or take drugs and drive, don't get distracted and drive to the road conditions."

For further information on the road safety charity Brake visit the Brake website.

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