Cunningham welcomes proposed 20mph legislation

 

 

Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has commended party colleague Pat Ramsey MLA for the progress made on the Private Members Bill which would see the speed limit on residential unclassified streets reduce from 30mph to 20mph.

 Mr Ramsey presented his proposed legislation to the Assembly’s Regional Development committee on Wednesday morning.

 Councillor Cunningham who has been a strong supporter of the local “Twenty is plenty” campaign and welcomed the pilot 20mph scheme being introduced in the Whitehall area of Ballycastle.

 “The main elements of the scheme at Whitehall will consist of the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in the Whitehall area without the addition of traffic calming features. The scheme aims to manage vehicle speeds and driver behaviour.”

“I believe that by reducing the speed limit on designated restricted roads we could act positively to reduce collisions and fatalities on our roads. Road injuries are amongst the leading causes of loss of life and disability worldwide, and regionally, a reduction in road related death and injury is a major aim of public policy.

“Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommended the introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones as an important way of improving safety

“The proposed legislation allows for the Department of Regional Development to issue exemptions for roads which may be unclassified, but that are major thoroughfares, which would allow roads to retain 30mph status.”

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NO SEATBELT. NO EXCUSE.

By playing this video you are agreeing that you are over 15 years old.

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While the overall seatbelt wearing rate in Northern Ireland is 98%, there are still isolated occasions when people forget to wear their seatbelt, often in social situations or they unbuckle it for a few minutes to turn and chat, lean forward in the car, show their friend photographs on their mobile phones, etc.

In 2012 seven people who weren’t wearing their seatbelt were killed on our roads. Their lives could have been saved if they had worn a seatbelt.

If you forget to wear your seatbelt, whether it be in the front seat or the back, just ONCE, ask yourself who are you prepared to kill?

Without a seatbelt it only takes ONE trip to kill.

Stop Look Listen Live !!

  

Just because they’re back to school doesn’t mean they’re safe. More traffic on the school run means more danger on the roads. So make sure your children always Stop, Look and Listen when crossing the road.

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Sadness at death of Kilrea Men

East Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat who has visited the homes of Declan McKenna and Christopher O’Neill said:

‘Relations and friends have gathered to offer support to both families as they try to come to terms with the fact that two young men who were much loved are not coming home alive.

‘Only those families who have been in this situation can begin to understand just how devastating it must be to get the call on the door that there has been such a tragedy.

‘The police and emergency services have been very good and the local people will do what they can over the next few days as Kilrea prepares for two funerals from the same part of the town. It just shocking and all any of us is be there and pray that somehow the McKenna and O’Neill Families will be able to see this through over the next few days and beyond.

Local SDLP councillor Roisin Loftus who also called at the homes said people in the town were finding it hard to take in the tragedy.

“The mood in the town is just one of total shock at what has unfolded here today, she said.
“They’re two very popular young men in their early 20s, very popular within the local area, they had many friends in the area and the young people are just totally numbed by this.”

20mph limit for residential areas moves one step closer

SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt is introducing a Bill to the Assembly which proposes to reduce the speed limit on residential unclassified streets from 30mph to 20 mph. The Bill comes after extensive public consultation as well as engagement with stakeholders, and aims to improve road safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.

 Recent guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends the introduction of 20mph speed limits as an important way of improving safety and creating environments to encourage and enable active lifestyles.  

Mr McDevitt said;

 “According to research from the Department for Transport in England, if a person is hit by a car travelling at 30mph, they face a one in five chance of being killed – reduce the speed to 20mph, and their chances of being killed are significantly reduced to one in forty.  

“This year we have seen twice as many deaths on our roads if we compare the figure with this time last year, many of whom were pedestrians. I believe that a reduced speed limit would go some way towards reducing the number of fatalities and accidents, and begin to really address this issue.

 “The proposed legislation allows for the Department of Regional Development to issue exemptions for roads which may be unclassified, but that are major thoroughfares, which would allow roads such as Boucher Road in South Belfast to retain 30mph status.”

 The proposed legislation has been welcomed by Sustrans Deputy Director Steven Patterson;

 “Introducing 20mph limits is a positive move for Northern Ireland. Slower speeds will save lives, improve neighbourhoods and boost walking and cycling levels.

 “Slower speeds will make our streets and communities safer for all road users, significantly reducing the number and severity of accidents and encouraging people to spend more time in the places they live, work and socialise.

 “Shifting to 20mph is also a cost-effective solution to achieving a more active, healthy population and reducing the burden on our health system.”

Plans for pilot 20mph speed limit scheme welcomed

 

 

Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has welcomed a proposed pilot 20mph speed limit scheme to be developed by DRD Roads Service at Whitehall, Ballycastle. It is proposed to carry out the works later this financial year.

 Councillor Cunningham who has been a strong supporter of the local “Twenty is plenty” campaign also called for the Assembly to bring for the necessary legislation from Conall McDevitt’s Private Members Bill which will reduce the speed limit on residential and urban roads from 30mph to 20mph. 

 “The main elements of the scheme at Whitehall will consist of the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in the Whitehall area without the addition of traffic calming features. The scheme aims to manage vehicle speeds and driver behaviour.”

“I believe that by reducing the speed limit on designated restricted roads we could act positively to reduce collisions and fatalities on our roads. Road injuries are amongst the leading causes of loss of life and disability worldwide, and regionally, a reduction in road related death and injury is a major aim of public policy.

“Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommended the introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones as an important way of improving safety

Motorists must respect Horse riders

Speaking after Moyle Councillors had been contacted by horse owners with regard to a number of safety issues, Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has called for motorists and other road users to show greater safety consideration for horse riders on the road.
“The local community and visitors to the area love to see horse riders out and about, but we are all responsible for creating a safe environment for this to happen. Car drivers and horse riders both have a right to use the road. But by considering each others’ needs and following some basic advice, drivers and riders can help make the road a safer place for all.”
“Horses are easily scared by noise and may panic around fast-moving vehicles; it is important that motorists slow down and are ready to stop if necessary”
“Motorists should also look out for riders’ signals and when overtaking, pass wide and slow giving the horse plenty of room, refraining from rapid acceleration rapidly once you have passed.”
“We must all work to make the scenic routes in and around Ballycastle as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy”