The Department of the Environment has welcomed the support of Todds Leap Ulster Rally for the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ road safety campaign. ‘Share the Road to Zero’ is an innovative campaign by DOE to encourage citizens in Northern Ireland to sign up to a path towards no deaths on the roads, and in turn, pledging to use the roads safely. Pictured signing up are (Left to right) Gerard Walsh from DOE Road Safety, Garry Jennings, the current Irish Tarmac Championship leader, Jon Armstrong, a rising star in The British Rally Championship, Margaret Aiken from DOE Road Safety, Frank Kelly, renowned as one of the quickest Mark 2 Escort drivers on the circuit and Clerk of the course Lewis Boyd.

Ulster Rally pledges to ‘Share the Road to Zero’

The Department of the Environment has welcomed Todds Leap Ulster Rally’s support for the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ road safety campaign.

Margaret Aiken from DOE Road Safety said, “‘Share the Road to Zero’ is a huge community programme with one aim – a vision of zero road deaths in Northern Ireland.  As road users, we all share the road, so this campaign is asking us to also share the responsibility.  As such, we are encouraging citizens in Northern Ireland to sign up to a path towards no deaths on our roads and in turn pledging to use the roads safely.” 

In 2012 the number of road deaths in Northern Ireland reached its lowest level since records began in 1931.  However, 48 people died and 48 families were devastated by these tragedies.  Every one of those road deaths is one too many.

Gerard Walsh, also from DOE Road Safety, added, “The goal of reducing road deaths to zero is a shared community responsibility.  As such, I want to encourage everyone to join up on a journey towards zero road deaths.  Any organisation can support this aspiration by pledging and encouraging members or employees to pledge and adopt safer behaviours on the roads.

As road users, we all have responsibility to behave appropriately – as a driver, a passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian so that we do not take risks and we do not put our own lives or anyone else’s in danger.”

“The support of the community is vital if we are to further reduce road casualties.  The Ulster Rally has thousands of spectators and can influence many road users.  This means that its support for the Share the Road to Zero campaign will be influential in saving lives and helping us achieve zero road deaths in Northern Ireland. We encourage everyone to Keep the Race in its Place.”

2013 Todds Leap Ulster Rally Clerk of the Course, Lewis Boyd said, “It is a privilege for the Ulster Rally  to support ‘Share the Road to Zero’ and we actively encourage every road user to sign up to the Road to Zero and commit to zero road deaths in Northern Ireland.

It must be remembered that The Ulster Rally’s competitors are only allowed to drive fast on the special stages, which are closed to the public and open only to licenced drivers who have proven that they have the necessary skills to rally safely.

We would remind all spectators to respect all other road users and to leave the spectacular driving to the rally car drivers who can be seen during this year’s Ulster Rally in St Angelo Airport, Enniskillen on Friday 23rd August and Saturday 24th August.”

Garry Jennings, the current Irish Tarmac Championship leader, said, “There is a big difference between rally driving and driving on the roads. I encourage everyone to Keep the Race in its Place.”

Jon Armstrong, a rising star in The British Rally Championship, continued, “Rally car driving and road car driving are like day and night but even with all the safety equipment we have there are still risks. When driving on the roads you should never try what rally drivers do as the risks are much greater.”

Frank Kelly, renowned as one of the quickest Mark 2 Escort drivers on the circuit added, “Drivers, especially young drivers, should never try to emulate rally drivers. We race in controlled conditions. I would encourage drivers to respect other road users, such as pedestrians, and to share the road to zero road deaths. Every road death is one too many.”

Organisations and individuals can view the television campaign and pledge online at www.sharetheroadtozero.com and share through Facebook and Twitter.