Police launch crackdown on reckless drivers

Police have warned reckless drivers to obey the law or face serious consequences over this bank holiday weekend.

The warning comes after the announcement by police that they are to launch 'Operation Roadside' over the bank holiday weekend in a bid to prevent road deaths and injuries on Northern Ireland's roads.

Police will be keeping watch for people driving under the influence, drivers who speed, or use their phone whilst driving, reckless drivers, or those who fail to wear seatbelts.

The PSNI have also revealed that they will have road policing commanding units, which would randomly select vehicles to be checked for defects.

These will be assisted by officers from units from across the provinces 29 District Command Units and specialist Tactical Support Groups, along with the police helicopter, which will be on standby throughout the operation.

PSNI Chief Inspector Ken Pennington said that the main objective of the operation was to save lives and prevent serious injuries.

He said: "Eight people died on Northern Ireland's roads over the Easter holiday period. That was eight times when police had to knock on the doors of families to tell them that a loved one would not be returning.

"That is a tragedy for those families. It is a tragedy for the whole community. We want to avoid further tragedies."

He added that 'Operation Roadsafe' was about robust enforcement, and said that if people wore their seatbelts, drove at sensible speeds, did not drive after drinking and showed more care and consideration then the roads of Northern Ireland would be safer for everyone.

(EF/SP)