Police crackdown on dangerous drivers

Police have warned that they will be cracking down on motorists who drive dangerously over this bank holiday weekend.

Operation Roadsafe will run from today until Monday, and police have urged drivers to watch their speed, not to use mobile phones when driving, to remember to wear seatbelts, and not to drink or use drugs when driving.

Officers will be carefully checking vehicles for defects, and a police helicopter will be deployed to assist in the operation.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable for Urban Region, Chief Superintendent Wesley Wilson, said that Operation Roadsafe was had one objective, and that was to save lives and reduce serious injury.

He said: "It continues to amaze and sadden police officers that despite countless high profile road safety operations and numerous public awareness campaigns over the years, there are still some drivers flouting the laws.

"During the last Bank Holiday Operation Roadsafe at the end of May, a total of 707 drivers were detected for a range of motoring offences including excess speed, careless driving, drink/drug driving, seat belt offences, and driving without insurance or whilst disqualified."

He concluded: "Operation Roadsafe is about robust enforcement. We make no apology for that."

A total of 82 people have died on Northern Ireland's roads so far this year."

(EF)