26/10/2005

Newry and Mourne road deaths show reduction

The number of people killed or injured on roads in Newry and Mourne has fallen over the past year, police have claimed.

According to figures for April 2004 to 31st March 2005, 13 lives were lost on the roads, a reduction of 40% on the previous year, which had seen 22 deaths.

Over the same period serious injuries fell by 33% and minor injuries fell by 46%. The latest figures also show that the total number of injury collisions has been reduced by 35%.

District Commander Chief Superintendent Bobby Hunniford said: “This is the tangible result of our casualty reduction strategy. The fact that 9 fewer deaths have occurred this year, injuries are down by 241 and injury collisions have been reduced by 102 is a testament to all the work carried out within the district by my own officers and the support received from Regional Roads Policing Unit and Tactical Support Groups.”

Despite today's positive news for the area in the last year, two people died in collisions on the Newry by-pass.

Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy said: "That two people have lost their lives on this stretch of road inside a week further highlights how dangerous this road is.

"We have consistently called on Roads Service, since the by-pass was opened, to provide lighting and other safety features on the road but they have consistently refused to take any action despite the number of fatal accidents."

(MB/SP)

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