Almost 25,000 companies and individuals sign pledge to stop all road deaths in Northern Ireland

Almost 25,000 companies and individuals have signed a pledge to stop all road deaths in Northern Ireland.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, in partnership with the DfI, has become the first Council in Northern Ireland to sign the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ initiative.

The Council, which has one of the major transport corridors through the area, has joined a growing list of local subscribers who have signed the huge road safety community programme as part of this months ‘Road Safety Week’.

With a population of 142,492 and 65,000 vehicles passing through each day on the M2, the Council has expressed their committed to road safety and is encouraging others to sign the pledge.

When people make the pledge they receive a weekly email which gives them road safety tips and advice.

Signing the pledge, mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, councillor Mark Cooper, said: “Now is the time for us all to take stock of our responsibilities as road users, think about the consequences of our actions, and be mindful of others using the roads.

“I am signing the pledge on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, committing to act in the safest possible way on our roads every day, and I encourage others, both organisations and individuals, to do the same.”

Councillor Matthew Brady, chairperson of Antrim and Newtownabbey Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), explained: “Road safety consistently ranks in the top four areas of concern for Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP and we deliver a range of initiatives and campaigns each year to raise awareness on this issue.

“We are particularly concerned about the increase in numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads this year to date and welcome any further action to promote this essential messaging. I am pleased to be signing the pledge on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP.”

Lynda Hurley, head of road safety promotion at the Department for Infrastructure, added: “I welcome this opportunity to work partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on this very important community initiative. I thank them for signing the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ pledge, and I hope this encourages others to do the same.

“The evidence shows that more than 95% of road traffic collisions where someone is killed or seriously injured are due to human error. This means, deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not an inevitable consequence of using the roads. The majority of collisions can be avoided, resulting in less casualties if we make the right choices when using the roads.

“If we as road users pay attention and stay focused, drive at the appropriate speed for the road or the conditions, never drink alcohol or take drugs before driving and always wear a seatbelt, lives will be saved. Together we can make a difference and move towards zero deaths on our roads by taking the Road Safety Pledge.”