Northern Ireland's roads 'becoming less safe'
More than half of people in Northern Ireland believe the country’s roads have become more dangerous over the past year, new research has revealed.
Statistics have shown that 39 per cent of people living in Northern Ireland say they feel unsafe on roads in their local area – and that 58 per cent agree they have become more dangerous in the past 12 months.
Over 70 per cent said this was due to poor road conditions, including potholes, narrow lanes and roadworks, the survey from law firm Slater and Gordon has shown.
Almost 60 per cent said they noticed dangerous driving up to six times a week – with 22 per cent saying they saw this several times a day.
Nearly half of people (45 per cent) also said they would cycle or walk more often if they felt the roads were safer.
The research coincides with Road Safety Week, from November 16 to 22, an annual campaign to promote safer roads and the protection of all road users.
This year’s Road Safety Week focuses on safe vehicles – and 51 per cent of people in Northern Ireland said they believe drivers are cutting corners on maintaining their vehicles due to cost of living pressures. Forty per cent of people admitted to doing this themselves.
Matthew Tomlinson, Head of Serious Injury at Slater and Gordon, says the statistics are worrying.
“It is very concerning that so many people in Northern Ireland do not feel safe on their roads – a situation many also believe has worsened over the past year. The levels of dangerous driving, in addition to the conditions of the roads, are creating a situation which is threatening the safety of all road users,” he says.
“We all have a responsibility to make the roads as safe as possible, which includes our own behaviours. The well-documented problems with the state of our roads is highlighted in our research, but we need to be mindful that such dangers unfortunately exist, and ensure we take this into account. Ensuring we drive in a safe and appropriate manner, while taking responsibility for the condition of our cars, is vital in the creation of safer roads and in the protection of fellow drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”