Ms Nicholl has said: “Several years ago, the partner of a constituent of mine was killed on the road while cycling. What would have been a tragedy in any circumstance was further compounded when it became apparent that the driver of the car had a serious medical condition prior to this incident that had not been reported to the DVANI, and that they should not have even been on the road in the first place.

“When people choose to get behind the wheel of a car when a medical professional has deemed them medically unfit to do so, it can have tragic outcomes. We know that it is an offence in Northern Ireland not to report any condition or treatment that impacts on a person’s ability to drive and that it is also an offence to drive after making a false declaration. However, as things stand, those who would be deemed medically unfit to drive are able to exercise their discretion about when, and indeed if, they report their condition to DVANI.

“This gap in reporting may seem like a technical issue, but for the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones as a consequence, it is a painful journey. Since I first became aware of these issues, we have made steady progress in building the case for change and engaging with a wide range of interested parties, including the Infrastructure Minister.

“This issue requires cross-departmental collaboration, and I will continue working to secure the changes we need to make our roads safer and ensure tragedies like this one are prevented in the future.”