Accident horror is highlighted

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd, Banbridge PCSP Chairman Cllr Seamus Doyle and New-Bridge Integrated College Pastoral Co-ordinator D J Kane ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1506-234EB

Over 700 students from the post-primary schools across the Banbridge District attended the Roadsafe roadshow at New-Bridge College on February 4.

Cllr Seamus Doyle, Chairman of Banbridge PCSP, commented, “The PCSP is very aware of the devastating impact on local communities when a local person is killed or seriously injured in a crash, and that this figure rises significantly for the group aged between 17 and 24.

“Over the last three years, Banbridge PCSP has maintained a focus on raising awareness with our young drivers and with young people who are passengers about how they can keep themselves safe when travelling in a car, and the potential consequences of unsafe driving behaviours.”

Speaking on behalf of the PSNI, E District Commander Chief Superintendent Pauline Shields, continued, “We are all responsible for road safety, and we can all contribute to helping to make our roads safer.

“In 2014, there were 79 deaths on the road of which 18 were in E District and four were in the Banbridge Area. Behind these statistics are families, communities and schools.

“Reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our roads is a strategic priority for all PSNI officers. Education of young drivers is a key element of this strategy and the Roadsafe roadshow which is led by PSNI Roads Policing is an excellent example of a hard-hitting educational message.”

Mrs Anne Anderson, Principal of New-Bridge Integrated College, concluded, “The school is delighted to work in partnership with Banbridge PCSP to host both the public meeting and the Roadsafe road show.

“We expected the Roadsafe road show to be hard hitting and visually powerful as it is important our pupils understand the consequences of unsafe driving.

“In school we constantly need to highlight to our pupils the steps that they should be taking to manage personal risk.”

This month, Banbridge PCSP Policing Committee is supporting local public meetings for communities to discuss local policing, crime and community safety issues. Meetings will be at Gilford Forum on 10th February at 7.30pm; Dromore CPLC on 18th Feb at 7.30pm; and Rathfriland on 26th Feb at 7.30pm.