Past Presidents ~ History Timeline ~

History
We have a proud history in the Northern Ireland voluntary road safety movement. For fifty years, Government has supported and respected our efforts, especially since Local Government reorganisation in Northern Ireland in 1973.

In January 1948 a "Safety First Committee" was established in Bangor, Co.Down and in 1956 an Association of Road Safety Committees was established in Bangor, with Belfast, Carrickfergus, Holywood and Bangor the foundation members.

In June 1960 the Ministry of Home Affairs invited RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to establish a regional office in Northern Ireland. The Ministry agreed to finance the office and this agreement exists to the present day. The RoSPA Regional Organiser encouraged the establishment of new Road Safety Committees throughout the Province, and the Ministry of Home Affairs made a grant of pound for pound to match any local authority grant aid to local committees.
As committee activities developed and the number of committees increased, the need for bet- ter co-ordination and co-operation was recognised, and the Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland was established at the first annual Road Safety Congress, held in Newcastle, Co. Down, in September 1963.

During the 1960s and 1970s the Council and Committees helped create many new and effective road safety initiatives, and some of the more notable are mentioned below. Zebra crossings, school crossing patrols, built-up area speed limits and the 'L test for new dri vers had been introduced during the 1950s.

The Tufty Club Association was formed in 1966, the 'R' plate scheme for inexperienced drivers was introduced in 1968, and evidential breath-testing for Drinking and Driving was law in Northern Ireland many years ahead of Great Britain. In 1972 the first Road Safety Teaching calendar, with a personal copy for every primary teacher in Northern Ireland, was produced, and the Council and Committees actively supported the establishment of the Road Safety Officer Service, linked to the Civil Service, in 1973. The HGV Drivers' Licence scheme was introduced in 1970, compulsory registration for Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) in 1974 and Private Car Testing (MOT) in 1975.

National Speed Limits 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 60mph on single carriageways) became law in Northern Ireland in 1977, the built-up area speed limits had been introduced in 1956.

During the 1980s and 1990s Council and Committee links with the Department of the Environment Road Safety Education Branch were strengthened, with the Department making an annual financial grant to the voluntary workers in road safety.

Liaison with traffic police, highway engineers, RSEOs and other organisations with road safety interests has been successfully developed. Many road safety initiatives supported by the Council have been implemented during the last twenty years. For example, compulsory seat belt wearing for drivers and front seat passengers was introduced on 31 January 1983, followed in 1989 and 1991 by legislation covering children and adults wearing suitable restraints or belts in rear seats.

Large Goods Vehicles have 60mph maximum speed limiting devices fitted since 1992 and 70mph maximum for coaches since 1991. Highway engineers now put "traffic calming" and road safety measures high on their list of priorities. Tougher drink/drive laws were introduced in Northern Ireland in April 1991, with mandatory disqualification for one year, an extended driving test and the display of "R" plates for a year after passing the re-test. The use of dipped head lights in poor visibility became law in 1991, following Council and Committee support campaigns during 1989/90.

As new road safety measures and campaigns are introduced in future, the continued support of the Council and Committees will be vital in helping to foster public acceptance.

Council and Committee activities are now much more organised and professional. The final agreement with the department on the 31 recommendations of the BITER Report will ensure the way forward for the joint statutory and voluntary approach to casualty reduction and accident prevention.

The Council recognises the need for each individual authority and organisation to understand and respect the role each one has to play. Duplication of effort is totally unacceptable. Plans to ensure best value for limited financial and manpower resources using a multi-agency strategy are vital.

I am confident the voluntary movement in Northern Ireland will make positive and effective contributions in future, and support the joint road safety plan.

Ronnie Trouton
Honorary Life Member