Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosts first event of All-Ireland Road Safety Engagement Programme

The first event in a three-day Strategic All-Ireland Road Safety Engagement Programme took place in Omagh today, bringing together representatives from local authorities across Ireland, emergency services and road safety partners to discuss road safety and creating safer roads.

Hosted by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with the PSNI, emergency services and Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death), the “Let’s Talk About Road Safety” event featured a stakeholder roundtable discussion to explore current challenges, share best practice and strengthen joint efforts aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries.

Guest speakers included Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Debbie Coyle; James Lockhurst from Project EDWARD; Donal Cunningham from the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) who outlined the recently launched Graduated Driving Licence; Peter Dolan, from the Enda Dolan Foundation and Debbie Mullan from Road Victims Support Northern Ireland – Donegal.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Debbie Coyle, said:

“It was a privilege for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to host the first event of this important All-Ireland Road Safety Engagement Programme. Bringing together road safety experts, emergency services, local authorities and key stakeholders created a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and reinforce our collective commitment to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

The lived experiences shared during the event from Debbie Mullan and Peter Dolan were both humbling and thought-provoking, and a powerful reminder of the devastating and lifelong consequences of road traffic collisions. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community whose lives are changed forever.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks all speakers, partner organisations and stakeholders for their contributions to this event. Through continued partnership working, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to raising awareness, influencing safer behaviours and helping to create safer roads for everyone.”

The head of The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Road Policing Unit, Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson said:

“The Police Service is pleased to be involved in this important road safety event. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and events such as this provide a valuable platform on which to raise awareness. Between 1 January and 5th October this year, there have been 51 road deaths across Northern Ireland. This is more than a statistic – this is families, friends, and communities whose lives have been changed forever.

To all drivers and road users, think about the worst news coming to your door, to be told someone you love is never coming home. Remember the fatal five – the five main reasons why people die on our roads – drink/drug driving, use of a mobile phone, excess speed, not wearing a seatbelt and distracted driving.

Play your part and help reduce the number of people who are being injured and dying on our roads.”

Following the stakeholder engagement session, local Year 13 and Year 14 students attended the Roadsafe Roadshow, hosted by the PSNI, at Omagh Leisure Complex. Here students heard compelling presentations designed to encourage safer choices and responsible behaviours on the roads.

The ‘Let’s Talk about Road Safety’ event in Omagh marked the first day of a three-day strategic All Ireland Road Safety Engagement Programme, with other events taking place on 7 October hosted by Kildare County Council and Meath County Council, and on 8 October hosted by South Dublin County Council.