New figures show that there were 68 fatalities in road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland during 2016 – a year-on-year fall of 8%.
The figures, published by Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on 28 Sept, also highlight long-term progress – with the 2016 fatality figure 46% lower than the 2004-08 baseline (126).
The year-on-year decline in road deaths also moves Northern Ireland closer to its target of achieving 50 or fewer road deaths by 2020.
However, in contrast to the fall in deaths, the number of serious injuries increased year-on-year by 16% to 828 – the highest number since 2010. However, DfI points out the figure is still 25% lower than the 2004-08 baseline of 1,111.
Focussing on age, there were 82 children (aged 0-15 years) killed or seriously injured (KSIs) – 10 more than 2015. While this figure still represents an overall reduction of 36% from the 2004-2008 baseline (128), the DfI says there are signs that historic reductions are now reversing.
The number of KSIs among young people (aged 16-24 years) also rose year-on-year – up 15% to 227. This figure is again below the 2004-08 baseline of 366.
The figures also show a rise in the number of people killed in road traffic collisions where alcohol or drugs were attributed. The figure of 23 represents a 53% year-on-year increase and is the highest number since 2009.
The statistics also reveal that two thirds (66%) of vehicles exceeded the speed limits on built-up roads (all road types up to 40mph) under free-running conditions (11pm-7am) – 2% lower than in 2015, but 1% higher than the 2010 baseline.
On non built-up roads, the proportion of vehicles exceeding the speed limits, under free-running conditions, was greatest on dual carriageways (46%), followed by single carriageways above 40mph (23%) and motorways (21%).
Category: Statistics & data.
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