New Road Safety Campaign Calls on Drivers to Give Bin Crews the Space They Need to Work Sa...

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), has launched a new road safety campaign to encourage motorists to drive with greater care around refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) and protect frontline waste collection crews.

The campaign has been developed following reports of dangerous and inconsiderate driving around RCVs, including unsafe overtaking, driving too closely to collection vehicles and other manoeuvres that place collection crews, pedestrians and road users at risk.

Every day, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's refuse collection crews travel across the district, working on busy roads and navigating narrow roads and residential streets to provide an essential service to local communities. While collections are being carried out, staff frequently work only a short distance from moving traffic.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Debbie Coyle, said:

"Our refuse collection staff provide an essential service to every household across the district, often working in challenging conditions on busy roads and narrow streets.

I'd ask every driver to show patience and consideration when they see a refuse collection vehicle lorry carrying out collections. Please remember that every member of our collection crew has loved ones waiting for them at home.

Taking a few extra moments behind the wheel could make all the difference in helping someone return home safely at the end of the day."

Chair of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Adam Gannon, added:

"Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and this campaign reminds us that the decisions we make behind the wheel affect not only ourselves but everyone around us. Working together with our partners, we hope this campaign encourages drivers to think twice before making risky manoeuvres and to recognise the importance of giving our refuse collection crews the time and space they need to work safely."

PSNI is also encouraging motorists to remember the Fatal Five road safety message and to make safe choices every time they get behind the wheel.

The Fatal Five reminds drivers to:

By following these simple but vital messages, motorists can help prevent serious collisions and keep everyone using our roads safe.

The campaign features a short social media video highlighting the everyday challenges faced by refuse collection crews, alongside practical road safety advice from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and PSNI.

The campaign will roll out across the Council's, PSNI's and PCSP's social media channels over the coming weeks.

Residents are encouraged to:

Together, by making safer choices behind the wheel, we can help ensure our roads remain safe for refuse collection crews, pedestrians, cyclists and every member of our community.