Fermanagh and Omagh’s policing district had one of the highest number of recorded road fatalities here. Ten people lost their lives on local roads in 2016 with 85 more seriously injured, making this one of the two police areas with the highest death tolls from collisions. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon also had ten fatalities. 

All the local victims were male, with five in the 16-34 age category. Four older men aged 65 and over were also killed as a result of road collisions in the district. Five of the fatalities involved drivers while three passengers were killed and one pedestrian. 

In stark contrast, Mid Ulster had six fewer deaths recorded in 2016 than in the previous year. 

More worringly, Fermanagh and Omagh had the largest increase in those killed or seriously injured with 43 more recorded in 2016 than 2015 (an increase of 82.7%). In 2015, 52 people were killed or seriously injured in this jurisdiction, a figure which jumped to 95 last year. A total 496 people were slightly injured out of total of 591 casualties recorded in Fermanagh and Omagh during 2016.

Enniskillen-based District Commander, Superintendent Jane Humphries told the Herald that the latest figures were “concerning”. 

“Even one death on our roads is one too many. Road safety is a priority for police in Fermanagh and Omagh however we all have our part to play. 

“We conduct daily patrols on our roads, supported by our colleagues in Roads Policing, and we work with our partners in the emergency services to educate drivers about road safety.

“Our message is clear: do not speed, wear your seatbelt, do not use your mobile while driving and never, ever drink and drive,” she added. 

DUP Councillor Keith Elliott said the sharp rise in deaths on Fermanagh’s roads was a cause of “deep sadness and regret”. 

“Great strides have been taken to distribute the road safety message across all groups of people and I commit to collaborating with both Council and the PSNI to ensure that further action is taken on this issue. It is terrifying to see how quickly a life can be taken away from us, and we all have a moral duty to extra take care and caution as we go about our daily travel.”