A total of 147 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland last year, according to provisional figures released today.
The figure represents a fall of 24 on the previous year’s figure of 171, according to a statement released by the Department of the Environment.
Northern Minister for the Environment Mr Sam Foster said he welcomed the drop in numbers killed but said it is a "sad reflection on society that in a small country like Northern Ireland we manage to kill 147 road users in a single year".
"Road deaths and serious injuries are viewed by many as an inevitable consequence of modern living. They are referred to as accidents," said Mr Foster. "They should be regarded neither as inevitable nor as accidents. Around 95 per cent of all road collisions are caused by human error. They therefore can, and must, be prevented".
He appealed to all road users to behave safely on the roads.
Head of the Road Policing Development Branch Supt Ian Hamill said although the reduction was encouraging, "the stark statistics fail to convey the sheer misery and human tragedy inflicted upon the families of road victims and the community as a whole.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland is determined to help make the roads of Northern Ireland safer for everyone," Supt Hamill said.
. "However, our objective will only be achievable if each of us adopts a responsible attitude by ensuring we reduce speed, wear our seatbelts and do not drink and drive".