Debate contribution: Traffic Collision Sites: Privacy and Dignity

Debate contribution by Mr Stephen Dunne on 8 December 2025.

MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

8 December 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Traffic Collision Sites: Privacy and Dignity

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5284984

Read the official Assembly record

Text

As a Member of the Infrastructure Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the motion. I, too, thank Mr McGlone, the proposer of the motion, for tabling it. The loss or serious injury of a loved one in a traffic collision is a truly devastating event. It not only tears through the fabric of immediate family life but can have a lasting and deeply distressing impact on close friends and the wider community from which the victim comes. I, too, commend Caoimhe's family for their campaign over the years. To have that trauma exacerbated by the selfish actions of individuals chasing engagement on social media or, indeed, any other form of media outlet is as immoral as it is avoidable. Importantly, it can also interfere in the work of our emergency services and compromise the judicial system. It is disappointing that measures such as those proposed through Caoimhe's law should even have to be considered, but, with the omnipresence of social media in the lives of us all, I agree with the Members who tabled the motion that it may, ultimately, be a necessary step.

We have seen examples, as others have said, in Germany and other parts of the world, including the Netherlands, of various steps being taken to tackle the issue. The evidence suggests that that has had a positive impact on dealing with it.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the level and, indeed, the graphic and disturbing nature of the content, which is so easily accessible for all users, regardless of age, on social media platforms, such as Facebook, X, TikTok and others. There is, ultimately, an ethical duty on those companies to play their part in moderating the content on their platforms. The role of AI has added a further layer of complication, raising questions about what is genuine and what is fake news. Unfortunately, that only adds to the pain of loved ones and those who are left behind. All of that can be done so instantly — within seconds — which also highlights the seriousness of the situation and reaffirms the need for action. Loved ones should have dignity, and family privacy should always be respected during such heartbreaking times. No family should ever have to see such horrific videos or images of their loved one's final moments or, indeed, find out from social media that their family member has been involved in an accident. We have heard countless stories of cases in which the families first heard about the accident through social media rather than the official channels of the emergency services. There is no doubt that that type of activity is a form of voyeurism. We have to call it for what it is: non-consensual. Often, it makes victims of people while they are vulnerable, exploits them and causes them, their families and the wider community humiliation. Members have rightly reflected on the experience of Caoimhe's family and, sadly, we can all point to similar stories in our constituencies. As my colleague mentioned, in recent weeks and months, we have had the privilege of engaging with the family of the late Jaidyn Rice, who was just 16 years old, with her whole life ahead of her, when she was so horrifically killed in a road traffic collision in Bangor. That was only a number of months ago during the summer. Losing a loved one devastates families, and spending a short time with the family of Jaidyn was a real reminder of the pain, hurt and heartache that is now a part of their lives, 24/7. The unauthorised recording and sharing of photos of road traffic collisions is truly traumatising for families, and it can spread so rapidly and virally across the world in such a short space of time. It goes not just to a local paper distribution area but right across the globe. We support the motion and wish to see more constructive and joined-up work between the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Infrastructure and the UK Government to that end.

679 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:11 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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