Minister Speaks Out As Road Deaths Hit 100

As the number of road deaths this year reached 100 yesterday evening, the Minister said: "This is often the worst period for road deaths, with darker evenings, wet roads and more traffic. I would appeal to everybody on the roads to take extreme care over this next period."

Last year's total of 107 fatalities was the lowest ever. However, with the figure of 100 having been reached with almost two months of the year still to go, the outlook for 2009 is bleak.

Mr Poots pointed out that the figures can fluctuate significantly from one month to the next and from year to year. He said: "We should not read too much into one set of figures. Road deaths have been declining for well over 30 years, and I fully expect that underlying trend to continue. However, that's not the point. Even one death is one too many."

He urged motorists to pay attention, to slow down, to wear their seatbelts, to switch off mobile phones, to avoid driving when over-tired and never ever drink and drive. He said pedestrians should always use footpaths, where possible, and wear bright or fluorescent clothing at night and in the early mornings.

The Minister added: "Barring a miracle, more people who are alive and well today will die on the roads before the year is out. It doesn't have to be that way. Our safety is largely in our own hands, and there are simple things we can do to reduce our own exposure to risk."