News
12th November 09
11/12/2009
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, has expressed concern at ’F’ District’s "worrying" reputation as a road tragedy hotspot.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, has expressed concern at ’F’ District’s "worrying" reputation as a road tragedy hotspot.
"PSNI statistics paint a disturbing picture, ranking ’F’ District, comprising Fermanagh and Tyrone, as the worst area in Northern Ireland for death or serious injury on the roads.
"When combined with ’E’ District (Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne) and ’H’ District (Coleraine, Ballymoney, Moyle, Ballymena and Larne) these three areas make up a staggering 73 per cent of all province-wide road fatalities. These are telling statistics," the UUP MLA said.
"Figures released in recent days by the Policing Board have revealed that the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in rural regions from April until the end of July this year has risen by 16 to a hefty 243 compared with the same period in 2008, while falling by 4 in urban areas to 144.
"Despite the vast difference in traffic volume between urban and rural areas, it is clear that country drivers are more vulnerable. As we enter winter, this situation is likely to worsen. Accident statistics show that darkness substantially increases the level of risk on the roads, so extra care is essential particularly as we experience a simultaneous decline in weather conditions.
"There are a number of key factors which I believe are closely allied with this problem, including poor standards of road surfaces, repeated flooding in specific areas, and poor road widths in rural areas.
"Rural areas are crying out for infrastructural investment. The condition of roads linking the counties of Fermanagh and Tyrone is nothing short of dire," Tom said.
"I have previously noted that the road spend for Fermanagh in particular has fallen by a shocking 57 per cent from 2003-2004 to 2008-2009. This is substantially more than experienced in other parts of the province.
"Negotiating potholes has become almost a local sport, and with the onset of wintry weather I can only imagine how much worse their condition is likely to get.
"That being said, the main causational factors of death or serious injury on the roads remain, primarily, careless and dangerous driving. Importantly, failing to wear a seatbelt significantly increases the likelihood of fatalities.
"These are all factors for which we individually bear responsibility, and while we cannot control the behaviour of other road users, a bit of personal caution could go a long way to reducing these terrifying statistics.
"While the number of collisions is typically higher in urban areas, there is a greater chance of a collision resulting in death on rural roads. This is a stark warning."
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