Top officer ‘appalled’ at driving incidents during Road Safety Week

A senior PSNI officer has said he is appalled that reckless speeding and other dangerous driving offences were detected in significantly high numbers during Road Safety Week 2020.
By Mark Rainey
Published 27th Nov 2020, 12:32 BST
Updated 27th Nov 2020, 12:34 BST
A PSNI Roads Policing officer. Photo: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker.A PSNI Roads Policing officer. Photo: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker.
A PSNI Roads Policing officer. Photo: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker.

Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said almost 900 people were detected for excessive speed and more than 50 for using their mobile phones while driving between November 16 and November 22.

A further 39 were detained for drink or drug driving and 62 for having no insurance.

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Two people lost their lives on the road during the same period.

ACC Roberts said: “While I welcome the high level of enforcement carried out by colleagues across the country during road safety week, I am appalled at some of the reports and incidents they have reported.

“One person felt it appropriate to travel at over 70 mph on a residential road with a 30 mph speed limit. At that speed, the average stopping distance is around 96 metres; that’s four times the average stopping distance from 30mph.

“Travelling at that speed, in a 30mph, residential area could have caused a catastrophic collision.

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“Far too many people are taking dangerous and completely unnecessary risks, putting themselves and other completely innocent road users at risk.”

During Road Safety Week there were: 895 detections for speeding; 62 for no insurance; 51 for mobile phone offences; 39 for drink or drug driving and 36 detections for careless driving,

Other offences included 29 in relation to construction and use where vehicles had significant defects, 23 incidents of dangerous driving, 21 for driving license offences and 18 incidents of failing to stop/remain/report a collision.

ACC Roberts added: “The driving offences we continue to detect have the potential to cause the most serious collisions, which put more pressure on our already busy emergency departments.

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“Police will continue to robustly enforce the law to make our roads safer, but everyone shares the responsibility to prevent deaths and injuries.

“I am asking everyone to take a moment to reset their attitude to road safety. Drivers and riders must slow down, pay greater attention to their surroundings, NEVER ever drive or ride a motorbike after drinking or taking drugs and whether you are a driver or passenger, always wear a seatbelt.”

The top officer went on to say: “Pedestrians and cyclists also need to be aware of their surroundings and particularly at this time of year, make every effort to been seen by wearing reflective or hi-vis clothing.”