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Moderator's call over road deaths Moderator's call over road deaths
(10 minutes later)
The moderator of the Presbyterian Church has questioned whether people in Northern Ireland are concerned enough to do something to reduce road deaths.The moderator of the Presbyterian Church has questioned whether people in Northern Ireland are concerned enough to do something to reduce road deaths.
Dr David Clarke described the death toll on the roads as "appalling".Dr David Clarke described the death toll on the roads as "appalling".
He was speaking at the Northern Ireland Road Safety Council annual service held at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.He was speaking at the Northern Ireland Road Safety Council annual service held at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
"This service will be of little significance if we do not resolve to be better drivers and more thoughtful road users," he said."This service will be of little significance if we do not resolve to be better drivers and more thoughtful road users," he said.
"We will all agree that the loss of life on our roads, and the shattering impact of road accidents on our community and our economy is totally unacceptable; but if so, are we prepared to do something about it?"We will all agree that the loss of life on our roads, and the shattering impact of road accidents on our community and our economy is totally unacceptable; but if so, are we prepared to do something about it?
"All of us here today are serious about this problem; but I genuinely question whether society as a whole is as concerned as we feel it ought to be.""All of us here today are serious about this problem; but I genuinely question whether society as a whole is as concerned as we feel it ought to be."
Dr Clarke outlined three issues he said had to be addressed to help reduce road accidents.Dr Clarke outlined three issues he said had to be addressed to help reduce road accidents.
Firstly, the "drink culture" in Northern Ireland had to be challenged, he said.Firstly, the "drink culture" in Northern Ireland had to be challenged, he said.
Next he said that insurance options should be examined.Next he said that insurance options should be examined.
"Representatives of the insurance industry suggested a fortnight ago that young drivers should be required to undertake a full year of driving instruction; and they contended that such a restriction would reduce road deaths by over 500 per annum in the UK," he said."Representatives of the insurance industry suggested a fortnight ago that young drivers should be required to undertake a full year of driving instruction; and they contended that such a restriction would reduce road deaths by over 500 per annum in the UK," he said.
Lastly, some parents should show more responsibility, Dr Clarke said.Lastly, some parents should show more responsibility, Dr Clarke said.
"Some parents seem to imagine that love for their young person is best demonstrated by providing them with their own high-performance car, to impress their peers and to allow them to indulge their Michael Schumacher fantasies," he said."Some parents seem to imagine that love for their young person is best demonstrated by providing them with their own high-performance car, to impress their peers and to allow them to indulge their Michael Schumacher fantasies," he said.
Ninety-three people have died so far this year as a result of road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland, according to police statistics.