Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is urging everyone to take care on the roads ahead of the release of a series of social media videos, which portrays what happens at the scene of a serious crash.

Each film looks at the crash scene from the perspective of firefighters, paramedics and police officers as they arrive on scene and deal with the devastation.

The social media videos commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure are being released in Road Safety Week.

Minister Kimmins said: 

“Road traffic collisions deeply impact lives, not just of those involved, but their families and friends too. This includes those who are first on the scene and deal with the immediate aftermath – the paramedics, firefighters and police.

“I want to pay tribute to them for everything they do, and it is so important that these stories are told, which is why my department has commissioned a series of social media videos to show the reality of what first responders are faced with in the aftermath of a serious collision.

“Nobody wants to be involved in a crash, and nobody wants to be responsible for it either. However, most collisions are avoidable. The statistics tell us that over 95% of them are caused by people behaving dangerously, carelessly, or simply ignoring the law – so my plea is slow down and pay attention.

“Tragically, so far this year, 44 families have received the devastating news that their loved one is not coming home.”

Last year, a total of 1,008 people were killed or seriously injured as a result of being involved in a collision.

The Minister added: 

“Road safety is important all year round, not just for this week. My department, in collaboration with our road safety partners, can educate, improve engineering and enforce road traffic laws, but we all must take personal responsibility for our own attitudes and behaviours when using the roads.

“So please slow down, pay attention, never drink alcohol or take drugs if driving, leave the mobile phone alone, take extra care around our schools and act responsibly on every journey.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Jonathan Wilson said: 

“Anyone who has been impacted by a fatal or serious road traffic collision will know of the trauma involved. So many people are impacted, including those left injured, the loved ones left to grieve, to emergency services colleagues responding and dealing with the consequences.

“Lives are changed in an instant. We all need to work together towards making our roads safe for everyone. That means adhering to the Fatal Five – never drinking alcohol or taking drugs and driving; slowing down; not being careless; always wearing your seat belt and never using your mobile phone while driving.

“Road Safety Week nationally is about ‘safe vehicles, save lives’ and our appeal is for everyone who drives, to do so safely. It’s about making sure every time you get in your vehicle it is safe. Road safety is too important to take risks with. Sadly, too many people have experienced how there are no second chances when it comes to road safety.”

(Picture: Yay Images)