People urged to talk about road safety after 68 deaths in 2024

A total of 68 people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads in 2024.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has urged the public to spread the message about road safety and to "talk about road safety with family and friends to help save lives".

In 2023, a total of 71 people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads - the highest annual number of deaths for eight years.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) figures show there were 738 people seriously injured on roads between 1 January and 30 September 2024.

Injury figures for the final three months of the year have not yet been published.

Mr O'Dowd offered sincere sympathies to the relatives of those who died and to those who had been injured.

"In the north, the death rate on our roads is, on average, one per week," he added.

"That means every single week, at least one person – a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend - is not coming home.

"Lives are shattered and will never be the same again."

A total of eight pedestrians, 38 drivers of vehicles, 12 passengers, and seven motorcyclists were among those who died in road traffic collisions in 2024.

Stormont's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is responsible for policies and legislation governing road usage in Northern Ireland.

It has said it is "actively committed to improving road safety in partnership with the PSNI, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance Service and other agencies".

Mr O'Dowd said road traffic collisions are "not inevitable" and appealed to "everyone to think about your behaviour when using the roads" in 2025.

"Make a potentially life-saving choice to be more mindful of others and proceed with care, follow the rules of the road - they are there to protect us and help everyone get home safe," he said.

"As we start a new year, the harsh truth is that we all need to wise up when we are using our roads, because if we don't the number of deaths will continue to rise."

Ch Supt Sam Donaldson of the PSNI said it was important to remember the people behind the figure.

"These numbers are more than a statistic, they are individuals who left home and never returned and people whose families and friends have been involved in traumatic, life-changing experiences," he added.

"As well as deaths, many people have suffered serious and life-changing injuries, demonstrating that as a society, road safety is something that needs to be taken more seriously."

Ch Supt Donaldson urged motorists to remember the Fatal Five:

1. Don't drink or take drugs and drive
2. Slow down
3. Don't be careless
4. Always wear your seat belt
5. Never use your mobile phone whilst driving