4 July 2000
SAM FOSTER DOUBLES THE NUMBER OF ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION OFFICERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Mr Sam Foster, Minister for the Environment, today announced that he was increasing the number of Road Safety Education Officers from eleven to twenty one.
This is part of a £400,000 package, which the Minister has attained via the Executive's Agenda for Government. In addition to almost doubling Road Safety Education Officers, the Minister also revealed that he is going to spend an additional quarter of a million pounds on reinforcing road safety awareness campaigns.
Mr Foster said: "Like everyone, I am saddened and sickened by the carnage on our roads. We need to educate, and re-educate people, of the danger involved and the discipline required when driving and walking.
"I am therefore pleased to announce that I am almost doubling the number of Road Safety Education Officers from eleven to twenty one in Northern Ireland. This will further enhance the services to our schoolchildren. In addition we can now consider the following:
- practical child pedestrian safety training in addition to theory in classrooms
- driver improvement schemes
- extension of drink drive rehabilitation schemes to all of Northern Ireland.
"Further, it is very important that we continually keep the Road Safety message to the fore. I am therefore going to spend an additional £250,000 on reinforcing key messages such as 'Slowdownboys', 'never ever drink and drive' and 'always, always wear a seatbelt.'"
Mr Foster concluded by saying: "We can never be complacent. I hope these extra resources through improving education, and training and further increasing awareness, will make a difference long term. I would also like to pay tribute to the assembly's Environment Committee in achieving this extra funding."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
philip.j.maguire@doeni.gov.uk
- At present the DOE has a Chief Road Safety Officer Harry Green supported by 10 Road Safety Education Officers located at five centres throughout Northern Ireland. They cover the five Education Boards with two in Belfast, one in Londonderry, one in Armagh and one in Ballymena.
- For further information please contact Philip Maguire DOE Press Office Tel 028 9054 0013 e-mail