A joint Stormont and police call has been made for safer driving following a “catastrophic” weekend on Northern Ireland’s roads.
Five people lost their lives on the roads at the weekend.
It brought the toll for the year so far to 29, double the number for the same period in 2015 when 14 fatalities had been recorded.
Speaking ahead of the bank holiday weekend, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones made a joint safety appeal.
Ms Kimmins told media at a press conference at PSNI headquarters in east Belfast they were making the appeal “in the wake of what has been a horrendous weekend on our roads”.
“A weekend which has left families absolutely shattered by the shock and the grief of losing their loved one, while others are coming to terms with the injuries that they have sustained,” she said.
“We’re just four months into 2026 and 29 people have died so far, 29 people have lost their lives on their roads, 29 people who set off on an every day journey which turned out to be their last journey and last day.
“That means on average a life has been lost every four days.
“As we head into the bank holiday weekend, my appeal is for everyone to take extra care, to control your speed, to put your phone away, never ever drink or take drugs and get behind the wheel, don’t get distracted and always wear your seatbelt.”
Ms Jones said the spike in road death numbers comes after “some improvement” and a “slight decline” in recent years.
“The past weekend has been catastrophic on our roads, within 24 hours, five people lost their lives in four separate road traffic collisions, and other people received life changing injuries,” she said.
“These deaths are a stark and cruel reminder of the very real dangers which exist on our roads.
“So far this year 29 people have lost their lives on the roads in Northern Ireland, that is the equivalent of a whole classroom of students, this is 29 families whose lives have been changed in an instant and forever, friends and communities left devastated.
“We’re heading into another busy period on our roads, it’s the first May bank holiday, and we have the North West 200 in Portrush next week.
“Lots of people will be travelling to meet family and friends, and spend some downtime.
“My appeal is please be safe on our roads.
“Societal attitudes on our roads need to change.
“All of these incidents are preventable if we all take responsibility for the choices we take on the roads.”
Ms Jones said there will be a visible police presence on the roads this weekends, focusing on the “fatal five”, which include drink and drug driving, speeding, excessive speed, use of mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts and inattention and poor decision making by drivers.
“If we all take personal responsibility and do things a little differently on our roads, they will be a much safer place for everybody,” she added.
