779 speeding drivers detected during rain warnings

Hundreds of drivers in Northern Ireland were recorded speeding on two recent days when there were weather warnings, the PSNI has revealed.

A senior officer said one driver was recorded travelling at 97mph when there was an alert for heavy rain.

PSNI figures revealed that on January 30 and February 6 this year, when there were rain warnings in place, 779 speeding detections were recorded across the region.

Superintendent Jonathan Wilson said: “Despite weather warnings, drivers put their lives and other road users’ lives at risk by speeding in what were difficult driving conditions.

“We detected some really high speeds, including 97mph on January 30.

“Speeds like this on any day are shocking, let alone on a day when there’s a weather warning in place.”

The senior officer said road safety patrols also detected a range of other offences.

He said: “These included driving while under the under the influence of drink/drugs, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and driving without insurance.

“It’s frightening to know there are drivers in our communities who continue to be so reckless on our roads.

“Driving requires 100% of our attention and focus at all times, anything less has the potential to be fatal.

“We are appealing to all drivers, especially as we continue to experience poor weather conditions, to remember the fatal five so you can keep yourself, your passengers and all other roads users safe, never ever drink/drug drive, slow down, don’t get careless, always wear your seatbelt and stay off your mobile phone, or any device or anything that can distract you.”