SEVEN people have lost their lives on Fermanagh roads this year – four more than this time last year.
The past two weeks have seen the deaths of three in tragic circumstances on our roads, and local reprentatives have urged road users to be vigilant.
Eileen Maguire was killed in an horrific car crash on the main A4 Enniskillen to Belfast road on Friday November 1.
The 69-year-old had been travelling home with her son and husband after they attended her sister’s husband’s funeral in Belfast.
And, just this weekend, Sean Martin and John Irwin lost their lives on the road.
The pair were travelling on the Pettigo Road, Kesh, on Sunday and were killed following a road traffic collision on the road.
Police area commander, Chief Inspector Sue Ann Steen, urged anyone using roads to do so carefully.
She said: “One death is one too many and road safety remains a priority for the police. Police are working with partner organisations as part of continuing efforts to address the issue of road safety.”
She went on: “We will continue to work hard to save more lives on our roads and prevent serious injuries. Police will enforce the law and remain determined to make roads safer, but all road users have a part to play also.
“We want to get the message out to drivers that they need to take care on the roads and that means reducing your speed, do not use a mobile phone whilst driving, keep your vehicle in a good road worthy condition and always wear a seat belt.”
And, Councillor Rosemary Barton, the chairman of Fermanagh policing and community safety partnership, while offering her own condolences, described the deaths of seven on our roads as a ‘worrying figure’.
“Unfortunately road traffic accidents are all-too-often occurrences on our roads. To date this year seven people have lost their lives on Fermanagh roads, a worrying figure,” she said.
“As Chairman of Fermanagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) I urge people to drive with care, to reduce their speed, leave a greater distance between the car they are driving and the car in front and to be extra vigilant at this time of year with the darker mornings and shorter evenings and the increased risk of a slippery road surface.
“Every death on our roads is one too many.”
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