Shock expressed over drivers disregard for safety following Derry road operation

Too many people aren't taking road safety seriously, regardless of the potential consequences, and that's shocking and concerning, a senior PSNI officer in Derry City & Strabane has said.

Chief Inspector Cherith Craig was speaking after a proactive operation across the city and District that ran over the past weekend as part of ongoing road safety efforts.

Working alongside the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), the operation ran from Friday, October 31 until Sunday evening, November 2. Officers from the District and Road Policing Unit colleagues were involved. The Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership was also involved with the deployment of road safety vans for Lifesaver speed checks. Police also worked closely with colleagues from An Garda Síochána.

Chief Inspector Craig said: “Our aim with this operation was to raise awareness among drivers that every time they get in their vehicle, they do all they can to make sure it’s safe, and they play their part in keeping everyone on the road safe.

"It was also an opportunity, through visible patrolling, to engage with drivers while taking enforcement action as required. During the operation, we discovered some vehicles were being driven in a really dangerous condition and that is concerning.”

Chief Inspector Craig continued: "Last year, there were 69 deaths on our roads. The impact of that is devastating for so many.
“Road safety is something we all have a role to play in.

“It was also important, because of the volume of cross-border traffic between the District and Donegal, that we work closely with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, just as we do on a continual basis.

“It's about keeping ourselves and all those who use the roads safe."

The operation resulted in almost 50 Fixed Penalty Notices, both endorsable and non-endorsable, issued to drivers for detections in relation to, for example, defective tyres, vehicle in a dangerous condition (some due to suspension fault and some because of excessive tints), defective exhaust system/Incorrect form of registration.

A number of offences were detected around vehicles’ road worthiness, and five Prohibition Notices being issued. This means the vehicles are off the road until any faults detected are rectified.

One person was also arrested and charged in relation to driving-related offences.

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During the weekend, Lifesaver speeding operations were also conducted. In total, 471 speeding detections were made. The highest speed recorded over the weekend was 106mph on the A6 on Friday (October 31). The highest speed recorded in a 30mph limit was 62mph, more than twice the limit, on the Glenshane Road on Sunday (November 2).

Chief Inspector Craig added: "Too many people aren't taking road safety seriously, regardless of the potential consequences, and that's both shocking and concerning. We’ll continue to focus efforts on keeping the roads safe in the Derry City & Strabane area over the coming weeks and months.

“We urge anyone taking a vehicle onto the road to ensure it is roadworthy, for their sake, and all road users. Remember the fatal five - don’t drink or take drugs and drive; slow down; don’t be careless; always wear your seat belt and never use your mobile phone while driving."