Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin add voice to Drink Drive Consultation

Published: 31 July, 2009

Sinn Féin Road Safety spokesperson, Cathal Boylan MLA, has attended a workshop in Belfast in relation to the DoE consultation into Tackling Drinking and Driving in the North of Ireland.

'As far as I have been made aware, Sinn Féin are the only party to have been formally represented at these workshops and who have submitted a party response to the consultation' said the Vice Chair of the Environment Committee.

'This is a very important issue with regards to Road Safety and strong leadership needs to be shown to address the carnage on our roads, be it through drink or drug driving, speed or driving without due care or attention.

'Whilst penalties and enforcement have their part to play, we also have to address the issue of education and changing people's mind sets. Already this year, there has been 67 road deaths in the North and 146 in the South, a total of 213 lives lost and the accompanying grief and trauma for family and friends, it is imperative on all of us to try and change these statistics, and I hope the outcome of this consultation will be another step in the right direction.'