By Joe McCann
A NORTH Down MLA has called for a community-wide effort to tackle the number of fatalities and serious injuries on local roads which led to the deaths of seven people in Ards and North Down in 2025.
Alan Chambers said poor decisions by drivers remain a major cause of collisions and pointed to a rising number of instances of dangerous driving on the A2 between Bangor and Belfast, where he said red light running was becoming commonplace.
The Ulster Unionist Assemblyman also called on pedestrians to take simple precautions, such as keeping mobile phones in pockets and removing headphones when approaching crossings and reminded people that wearing something reflective at night can greatly improve visibility for drivers.
“In 2025, 57 people in Northern Ireland lost their life on our roads,” he said.
“These deaths involved children, young adults and the elderly. Many were main family breadwinners and these deaths leave behind families in grief, a grief that never really heals with the passing of years.”
Mr Chambers said the PSNI had attributed many crashes to poor decision making behind the wheel and warned that small moments of impatience can have devastating consequences.
“I have been highlighting recently the amount of red light running I see daily on the A2, Bangor to Belfast Road. This dangerous and selfish habit may save a few seconds of journey time but in reality it is a form of motorised Russian roulette in which the greatest loser is usually the innocent party.”
The UUP representative said he had written to the Minister for Infrastructure to ask if the department plans to launch a new road safety advertising campaign with an emphasis on encouraging walkers and cyclists to make themselves as visible as possible at night and said public education would complement enforcement work by the PSNI and local safety initiatives.
“We all have a responsibility to do all that we can to reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. Motorists should slow down, don’t take chances to save a few seconds, respect road signs and traffic lights,” he said.
“Simple adjustments could make our roads safer. Pedestrians can make a huge difference to their own safety during darkness by following the advice to wear something bright at night.”
