The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) is preparing to kick off conversations about road safety by pledging to ‘Share the Road to Zero’.

NIFL is a high profile signing for the initiative, which aims to reduce road deaths by encouraging all of us to think about our shared responsibilities, to be aware of our surroundings, and take more care when out and about.

Tragically, 46 people have lost their lives on our roads so far this year, compared to 32 this time last year.

Lynda Hurley, Head of Road Safety Promotion at the Department for Infrastructure, said: “Every road death is unexpected and traumatic and behind every loss of life are grieving families expecting their loved ones to return home; their lives have now also changed forever. Sadly, too many people are losing their lives on our roads. Evidence shows that more than 95% of road deaths are due to human error. That being the case, we can all play our part in reducing road deaths by taking personal responsibility to be the best road user we can be. Together we can make a difference and move towards zero deaths on our roads.

“The Northern Ireland Football League’s backing for the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ pledge is a significant step in raising awareness of what we can all do to change our behaviours when we use our roads. Sadly, careless or inattentive driving, inappropriate speed for the road or the conditions, as well as drink and drug driving account for the majority of deaths and serious injuries on our roads so as a society, we need to have more conversations about what we can all do on a personal level to be the best road users that we can be, whether we are travelling on foot or on wheels.

“By being more aware of our responsibilities and being respectful of other road users, we can all help ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.”

NI Football League Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor said: “The need to think about how we travel and how we can be safer on our roads is something that unites all of us because road deaths and serious injuries touch every part of society.

“Behind the statistics there are grieving loved ones and lives torn apart. While every road user and every age group is affected, the statistics show that the majority of people killed so far this year are men and almost half of those were aged 35 and under.

“By signing the pledge on behalf of the Northern Ireland Football League, I am pledging to Share the Road to Zero by acting in the safest possible way on the roads and am encouraging everyone in the football family to do the same.”

Pledging to ‘Share the Road to Zero’ is an online click of a button via www.sharetheroadtozero.com and can be done on an individual basis or as an organisation. Once you have signed up, you will receive regular and free road safety tips.