5 December 2002 Edition
New poster campaign highlights cost of death driving
A new poster aimed at so-called 'joyriders' was launched by the group, Families Bereaved Through Car Crime, in Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 27 November.
The poster features the image of three-year-old Tyler Watson lying in intensive care after he was seriously injured in a death driving incident in which both his parents were killed in July 1999.
Among those at the launch were the families of those killed by death drivers, including the McComb family, whose daughter Debbie's death led to the formation of the group in March this year. Carmel Donnelly, mother of Brian Donnelly, a car thief killed in the crash that killed Tyler's parents, also attended the launch.
The poster is only one part of the families' campaign to put a stop to the problems of death driving. The families are calling for tougher sentences for those convicted of car theft.
The campaign is also demanding that those death drivers serving sentences for death driving are not given Christmas parole. 50,000 posters carrying details of a website and help line offering advice and counselling to families and young people affected by car crime will appear throughout the Six Counties.
On Saturday 30 November, Black Taxi drivers from the Falls and Shankill Roads joined forces to bring Belfast city centre to a standstill in a protest cavalcade to City Hall against death drivers.
Families Bereaved Through Car Crime spokesperson Tommy Holland said it shows both communities want to tackle this important issue.
The display of unity came on a day when figures revealed that nearly a quarter of all stolen cars end up in West Belfast.
The poster features the image of three-year-old Tyler Watson lying in intensive care after he was seriously injured in a death driving incident in which both his parents were killed in July 1999.
Among those at the launch were the families of those killed by death drivers, including the McComb family, whose daughter Debbie's death led to the formation of the group in March this year. Carmel Donnelly, mother of Brian Donnelly, a car thief killed in the crash that killed Tyler's parents, also attended the launch.
The poster is only one part of the families' campaign to put a stop to the problems of death driving. The families are calling for tougher sentences for those convicted of car theft.
The campaign is also demanding that those death drivers serving sentences for death driving are not given Christmas parole. 50,000 posters carrying details of a website and help line offering advice and counselling to families and young people affected by car crime will appear throughout the Six Counties.
On Saturday 30 November, Black Taxi drivers from the Falls and Shankill Roads joined forces to bring Belfast city centre to a standstill in a protest cavalcade to City Hall against death drivers.
Families Bereaved Through Car Crime spokesperson Tommy Holland said it shows both communities want to tackle this important issue.
The display of unity came on a day when figures revealed that nearly a quarter of all stolen cars end up in West Belfast.