This week, another life was lost on our roads

This week, another life was lost on our roads.

This brings the total of lives taken through road traffic collisions in our policing district this year to 29. The overall total for Northern Ireland now stands at 107, equal to the total number of lives lost in 2008.

Less than two weeks ago, the Police Service launched our annual Winter Road Safety campaign in Fermanagh. Why did we chose Fermanagh? I wanted the launch to be here because we have a high number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. I wanted to highlight the issue of safety, care and attention for all road users. This is not just about those who drive cars. We must include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, bus drivers, lorry drivers.

It seems to me that the message is understood by most right thinking people. It just doesn't translate into action when some get behind the wheel. I am not referring to driving under the influence of alcohol, where a small minority blatantly disregard the law and we are committed to detecting these people. I am talking about those who drive a little too fast, take risks, overtake when it is not safe to do so, and do not pay due care and attention to the weather or the road conditions.

It is a simple message. Slow down, belt up and pay attention to the road, at all times. We are committed to working with you to make our roads safer but this is one area where we can all make a difference if we take time to think.

After all it is better to arrive late in this world than early in the next.