SDLP Youth Chairman Gary McKeown has welcomed a police initiative aimed at reducing road deaths among young people.

Mr McKeown said: “Road traffic accidents are the biggest killer of young people worldwide, with 1,000 dying every day. This is more than the number who die from AIDS, cancer or any other disease.

“Each year over 1.2 million people in total are killed in road crashes around the world, with up to 50 times that number suffering serious injuries.

“Northern Ireland has more than its fair share of road tragedy and any move by the police here to tackle this horrendous situation is welcome.

“However the emphasis needs to be on education and prevention, with tough penalties for those who continue to pose a threat on our roads.

“Police resources on the ground need to be directed towards the worst roads and the small number of people whose dangerous driving makes those roads all the more deadly.”

Mr McKeown added: “Tony Blair spoke out this week to highlight the issue of road deaths. If he truly believes in this dealing with this issue, then he needs to pump a massive cash injection into our roads infrastructure in order to make travel here safer. Years of underinvestment have made our roads system a deathtrap. Last year 125 people died in traffic accidents in Northern Ireland, and 36 have been killed so far this year.

“Deaths and injuries from traffic accidents represent a terrible human tragedy, one which is wholly preventable. If people think before they drive, police act to tackle those who ignore the rules of the road, and government pays for education and roads infrastructure, then hopefully the number of people being killed or injured on our roads can be reduced.”

SDLP Youth has elected its new executive at the group’s Annual General Meeting in Belfast.

Speaking after the event, the newly elected Chair of SDLP Youth, Gary McKeown, said: “I am delighted at the attendance at this year’s AGM. Year-on-year, SDLP Youth has seen growing membership. This year we will be refocusing our attention on a range of hard-hitting campaigns.”

“Young people across the north are faced with an ever-increasing range of problems, from the school pupil who is worried about going to university because they can’t afford to pay tuition fees to the young worker who cannot get on the property ladder because of spiralling house prices.

“With the new assembly due to meet, local politicians have a chance to deliver real progress for the people of the north. SDLP Youth will be at the forefront of lobbying Stormont to demand a better deal for young people living here.”

SDLP Youth have been working tirelessly throughout the last year to support young people and the issues they face and will continue to do so in the upcoming year. Speaking at the AGM Party Leader Mark Durkan expressed his delight at the number of young people who had attended the meeting and encouraged the group to continue it’s hard work.