21 December 1999

MINISTER SAM FOSTER URGES CARE AND CAUTION ON ROADS DURING FESTIVE SEASON

Environment Minister, Sam Foster, today issued a Christmas and New Year message for all road users.

In urging care and caution, Mr Foster said: "Christmas is a time for joyous celebration in the company of family and friends. As Minister with responsibility for road safety, I am acutely aware that for many, this year, Christmas will be a time of sadness. Over 130 families will reflect on the death of a family member during the past year due to a road traffic accident and many more will continue to suffer the consequences of injuries received. My thoughts are especially with them at this time.

"At the beginning of December I launched the Christmas and Millennium Anti-Drink Drive campaign and I would take this opportunity to remind everyone of its message. ALCOHOL CAN KILL. NEVER EVER DRINK AND DRIVE. Pedestrians, remember that if you drink too much and then walk on the roads you are a danger to yourself and to others.

"My aim, as Minister with responsibility for road safety, is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads but I can only succeed with the co-operation of the whole community. I implore everyone to exercise extreme care on the roads not only over the holiday period but in the future as well.

"Early in the New Year I will be launching a new hard-hitting anti-speeding commercial. Speeding is the main cause of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and many lives can be saved if drivers will SLOW DOWN and drive at appropriate speeds within the speed limits. I urge everyone to do so.

"As we enter a new millennium my message is, remember you can hurt yourself, you can inflict hurt on others. Together we can reduce the unacceptable level of casualties on our roads."

 

For further information contact Philip Maguire at the DOE Press Office on 01232 540013 or via e-mail at philip.j.maguire@doeni.gov.uk