To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department has agreed proportions of road safety campaigns, targeting (i) drivers; (ii) pedestrians; and (iii) cyclists.

Priorities are determined by evidence and statistics on the causations of KSIs (Killed or Seriously Injured) rather than setting fixed proportions of budget available to particular road user groups. The budget is allocated to areas which the evidence suggests will give us the greatest return, in terms of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads here. It is also allocated to protect those road users who are more vulnerable, such as pedestrians, cyclists, children and motorcyclists, and to promote lifesaving seatbelt wearing, if involved in a road traffic collision.

Key causation factors reported by the PSNI for 2024/25 are Careless Driving, Drink/Drug Driving, and Speeding. Vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians, children, older adults, and motorcyclists remain disproportionately affected. For example, over the five-year period 2020-2024, pedestrians alone accounted for 18% of KSI casualties.

Based on this evidence, I initially prioritised the reinstatement of pedestrian and motorcyclist safety campaigns and have since launched the Anti-Drink Drive campaign. Evidence also demonstrates a growing problem involving those who take drugs and choose to drive. For that reason, I approved the commissioning of a new Anti-Drug Driving campaign, which aired last week for the first time.

The evidence also shows that more than 9 out of 10 road traffic collisions are due to road user error, with drivers being responsible for the majority of crashes; speeding remains a major contribution to collisions. I have therefore approved two further new campaigns ‘Anti-Speeding’ and ‘Driver Behaviour’, these will air in early 2026. A new radio edit highlighting the dangers children face when getting on and off buses aired on 17 November across radio stations.

Our media plan has not yet been fully finalised as the road safety problem continues to be monitored, but, in addition to those campaigns already mentioned we expect to address careless/inattentive driving, mobile phone use, seatbelt wearing and cyclist safety by the end of this financial year.