Jordan Nixon and Connor McGrugan deaths: Concern as road deaths across Northern Ireland more than double since last year

Their deaths take the numbers of deaths on NI roads this year so far to 24. In the same period last year only 10 people had been killed, and only 15 in 2021.

Davy Jackson, chairman of charity Road Safety NI, said the largest category of deaths this year are of males aged 25 to 64 years.

"We as a road safety charity are obviously very disappointed and saddened at the huge increase in the number of precious lives lost on our road this year to date," he said. "They have more than doubled the number since this time last year."

He added: “The figures show an increase in drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists killed. The largest numbers coming from the 25 to 64 years age group and by far a majority are males."

Mr Jackson's organisation "firmly believes" that expected budget cuts for the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) road safety departments will not help in keeping the numbers down.

"Both these organisations are doing the very best they can with ever decreasing resources. We work very closely with them are are doing as much as we as a charity can do to help fill gaps that their forced cuts are causing."

It is worth noting, he said, that 2012 is considered as having the lowest ever number of road fatalities in NI; 48 compared to 55 last year and 50 the year before.

The heavy snowfall of 2012 may have kept people off the roads and driving more slowly, he said. But it was also the year that DFI spent the most money on its road safety television adverts, which were "very successful and talked about worldwide".

He added: "This, we believe, is not a coincidence. Numbers have never been that low since."

He urged drivers to remember 'The Fatal Five' factors which cause fatal accidents;- Drink/drug driving, careless driving, failing to wear a seat belt, excessive or inappropriate speed and distracted driving.

A Policing Board spokeswoman said the surge in deaths has largely been "recent" and that its thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or have suffered life changing injuries.

"Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but Board Members will have the opportunity to ask the Chief Constable for his policing assessment at the next meeting," she added.

The DUP's lead member on the Policing Board, Trevor Clarke, said families across NI have been touched by the sudden news of a fatal or life-changing road accident.

"The causes of each crash will differ but given the rise there must be an in depth study as to what law enforcement and roads engineering can do to help reduce the number of crash scenes," he said. “The need for constant education is also incredibly important so there is a better understanding of the dangers of speed and greater respect for the road.”

Police said Mr McGurgan passed away following a collision between a blue Tesla Model S car and a blue Yamaha motorcycle at around 4.35pm on Sunday 7 May on the Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare.

Mr Nixon died following a collision between a pedestrian and Volvo XC90 car in the Moira Road area of Glenavy shortly after 10.50pm on Friday 12 May.

Police are appealing for information or dash-cam footage on tel 101, quoting ref numbers 1360-07/05/23 and 2353-12/05/23 respectively.

Mr Nixon's funeral takes place at noon on 16 May at All Saint’s Parish Church, Eglantine Road, Lisburn.