Road safety committee seeks new members

The move follows the recent exhibition in Ballymoney Town Hall which showcased the many achievements of the committee since its formation 50 years ago and underlined the need to maintain the momentum established down the years.

The Ballymoney group is determined to forge ahead with fresh aims and objectives in association with the various statutory and voluntary bodies committed to the promotion of road safety throughout Northern Ireland but it needs fresh faces to help it meet its goals.

Mr Sam Knox, a leading member of BRSC and Road Safe NI, said: “We have decided to write to local groups, clubs and organisations along with statutory bodies in a bid to attract those who could assist us with our work. We are particularly interested in inviting those who may have experienced some form of tragedy in their lives as the consequence of a road accident or such like and who may now want to play a part in helping others avoid potential catastrophes. We have no wish to re-visit the past but sometimes becoming involved with an organisation like ours can have a cathartic effect.”

Those who join will form part of an enthusiastic team dedicated to promoting better driving and driving conditions as well as focusing on educating young motorists through safe driving events and talks. The committee also place strong emphasis on identifying areas where other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists can feel safer.

School quizzes, surveys, carrying out checks to identify and correct motoring defects and lobbying Government agencies form a key part of the committee’s remit.

And members have also been praised for their persistence on issues that may initially have been met with refusal but have subsequently been reversed. One example concerned audible warnings on traffic lights at the bottom of Main Street in Ballymoney for the blind and partially sighted which is now in operation following sustained pressure on the DRD.

Anyone interested in joining the committee should contact Mr Knox at [email protected] or Joan Kinnaird on 07525 762835 who will provide further details.

The committee meets on the first Wednesday of every month at Ballymoney Town Hall for a 7.30 p.m. start.