60% target unveiled in new Northern Ireland road safety strategy

Northern Ireland’s new road safety strategy includes a target to reduce road fatalities by at least 60%.

‘Northern Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy to 2020’ has been unveiled by Edwin Poots, environment minister for Northern Ireland.

The targets, which are measured against a baseline of the 2004–2008 average, also include;

• Reducing the number of people seriously injured in road collisions by at least 45%    

• Reducing the number of child and young people (16-24) KSIs by at least 55%

The strategy includes a number of proposed measures to help achieve the targets, with a particular focus on young drivers. These include implementing an improved programme of measures to influence young people’s attitudes and behaviours; and reassessing and improving the way that novice drivers first learn to drive and/or ride, are tested, and continue to learn throughout their lives.

The strategy also includes a consultation on proposals to amend the existing 45mph speed restriction on learner and restricted drivers and introduce a new system of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) to replace the current ‘R’ driver scheme.

Click here to download the report.