The number of children killed or injured on Northern Ireland’s roads has fallen to the lowest level since records began, new figures revealed today.
The overall total of roads deaths in the North - 113 last year - represents the second lowest recorded level, according to the latest government statistics.
Five children died in traffic accidents in 2007 - in 1977 there were 50 young lives lost on the roads.
New Environment Minister Sammy Wilson welcomed the figures but said one death on the roads was still one too many.
"Children are particularly vulnerable on the roads and we must make sure that from an early age they understand the dangers and how they can keep themselves safe," he said.
The DUP East Antrim MP commented on the figures ahead of a visit to Oakwood Integrated Primary School in Dunmurry, where he is set to meet pupils taking part in cycling proficiency schemes.
The Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy, published in 2002, set a target for 2012 to reduce fatal and serious road casualties by 33 per cent and those involving children by 50 per cent.
In 2007 the total number of people killed or seriously injured fell by 9 per cent compared with 2006, while the number of children killed or seriously injured dropped by 30 per cent compared with the previous year.
The only year there were fewer deaths on Northern Ireland's roads was 1947 when 112 people were killed.
However back then there were only 75,000 vehicles in use compared with around a million last year.
The minister said that although significant progress was being made to meet the road safety targets, the level of deaths and injuries on the roads remained unacceptable.