MOTORISTS have been urged to "make saving lives your New Year resolution" after 74 people were killed on the north's roads during 2015.
Police figures show 34 drivers, 17 passengers, 19 pedestrians and four motorcyclists lost their lives.
Five were aged under 16, one more than in the previous year. However, the total number of deaths was five fewer than in 2014.
Among the tragedies was seven-year-old Jackson Turner, who died on St Stephen's Day following a three-car crash in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.
His funeral will take place in Carrickfergus today at noon before moving to Roselawn in Belfast for committal at 2pm.
Environment minister Mark H Durkan said the number of deaths was a "serious concern".
"Every death is tragic and will have brought enormous suffering," he said.
"I offer my sympathy to those who have lost loved ones and those who are suffering serious injuries through road tragedy in 2015.
"I know that the pain of such a loss is deeply felt by family, friends and the wider community for a long time."
Mr Durkan said new legislation passing through the assembly will introduce further steps to tackle "problem areas" such as drink-driving, speeding and driver carelessness.
The SDLP Foyle MLA urged road users to "make saving lives your New Year resolution".
"Together, it is our actions as road users that make a difference," he said.
"It is each of us who can save lives, it is each of us who can protect ourselves and others from death and serious injury as we share the road.
"I remain committed to doing all that I can to prevent the pointless tragedies on our roads. I call on everyone to join me in making road safety a personal New Year's resolution."
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said even one death "is one too many" and urged road users to "take personal responsibility" for their actions.
"As we start the new year, there are families and communities across Northern Ireland coping with the loss of loved ones who were killed in road traffic collisions," he said.
"For others involved in serious collisions, it can mean learning to cope with life-changing injuries.
"Road safety will continue to be a key priority for police, but the reality is that many collisions can be avoided."
Around 14,780 people have been killed on Northern Ireland's roads since records began in 1931.
There were 114 deaths that year, and the numbers generally increased over the years to a peak of 372 in 1972.
Since then, the numbers have gradually fallen, dropping to double figures for the first time in 2010.
The year with the lowest number of road fatalities was 2012 with 48 deaths.
