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Number of road deaths in 2009 up | Number of road deaths in 2009 up |
(10 minutes later) | |
Eight more people died in accidents on Northern Ireland's roads in 2009 than in the previous year. | Eight more people died in accidents on Northern Ireland's roads in 2009 than in the previous year. |
Figures released on Monday showed that 115 people died during the 12 months of 2009, compared with 107 in 2008. | Figures released on Monday showed that 115 people died during the 12 months of 2009, compared with 107 in 2008. |
Environment Minister Edwin Poots said the number was "disheartening" and that road safety would remain a priority. | Environment Minister Edwin Poots said the number was "disheartening" and that road safety would remain a priority. |
"The tragedy is that 115 people just like you and me were going about their normal business, presumably with hope, ambition and enthusiasm," he said. | "The tragedy is that 115 people just like you and me were going about their normal business, presumably with hope, ambition and enthusiasm," he said. |
"But they didn't get the chance to fulfil their ambitions. | "But they didn't get the chance to fulfil their ambitions. |
"We will continue our sustained efforts to deliver a programme of road safety education, engineering and enforcement initiatives." | |
Downward trend | |
Northern Ireland has traditionally had a poor road safety record with its rates of deaths and injuries per 100,000 of the population significantly above the rest of the UK. | |
However, in the last ten years the situation has improved with road deaths on a downward trend. | |
In 2000 171 people were killed on the roads; the 107 deaths in 2008 was the lowest figure on record. | |
Of those that died in 2009, four were children. | |
Twenty four of the 115 were pedestrians, 46 were drivers, 29 were passengers and 16 were motorcyclists. | Twenty four of the 115 were pedestrians, 46 were drivers, 29 were passengers and 16 were motorcyclists. |
"There are still too many people dying needlessly on our roads," continued the minister. | "There are still too many people dying needlessly on our roads," continued the minister. |
"We will only see a further reduction in the number of people being killed if we all, whether as drivers, passengers or pedestrians, assume personal responsibility for our own safety and the safety of others." | "We will only see a further reduction in the number of people being killed if we all, whether as drivers, passengers or pedestrians, assume personal responsibility for our own safety and the safety of others." |