A report into the PSNI's policing of the North's roads has recommended that a lowering of the alcohol limit should be simultaneously introduced on both sides of the border.
The report, carried out by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI), found that the investigation of accidents and vidence produced for criminal prosecutions in the North was weak and needed to be urgently addressed.
The highly critical report found that Northern Ireland's record of road deaths was "unacceptably high".
As part of the inspection CJI and HMIC teamed up with the Garda Siochana Inspectorate to provide an all-island perspective of Roads Policing.
A separate report will be published in the Republic in the near future. Deputy Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland Brendan McGuigan, said many of the problems encountered in the North were shared by the Republic and that was why it was important the PSNI continued to develop its existing links with its colleagues in the Garda
He said: “These links are championed by their respective roads/traffic units and help to address issues such as the higher rate of road deaths in border areas.
“Close co-operation between the island’s two policing organisations and other law enforcement agencies such as the DOE’s Driver and Vehicle Agency, will also reduce opportunities where the border can be exploited by those involved in criminal activity”.
Both the Dáil and the Stormont Executive are considering reducing the drink drive limit from 80mgs per 100ml of blood to 50mg. The report said a lowering of the limit should be simultaneously introduced on both sides of the border.
The report has already been presented to the PSNI which has committed to put roads policing under the responsibility of the ACC for Operational Support. It is also to set up a dedicated Collision Investigation Unit operational by April 2010 and an interim team by March 2009.
It also committed to implement ACPO speed enforcement guidelines by 2010 having reduced the thresholds in 2008 and 2009. The guidelines suggest fixed penalty notices be issued for speeds 10% above the limit plus 2mph. - It would mean prosecution for doing 35 in a 30 limit, 68 in a 60 limit and 79 in a 70 limit. It suggests court summonses be issued for speeds of 50 in a 30 limit, 86 in a 60 and 96 in a 70.
However ACPO said a driver could easily be prosecuted for doing 31 in a 30 limit outside a school at closing time or in a busy High Street. The PSNI said it welcomed the report as it would anything from anyone which would make the roads safer.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland was told to carry out a major reorganisation of Roads Policing to address its shortcomings.
The report urged the creation of a dedicated crash and collision investigation unit and that a single Assistant Chief Constable should be made responsible for policing the roads, instead of the current fragmented share-out between four ACCs.
The report said: “More robust enforcement action can make a difference in tackling speeding and impaired driving in particular.
“The fear of being caught and prosecuted needs to be elevated, especially among those high risk groups.”
“Death and serious injury on the roads of Northern Ireland is a major problem,” said Mr McGuigan.
“Between 1969 and 2001, 7,291 people died on the roads compared with 3,331 who lost their lives during the same period as a result of the Troubles, he added.
In order to tackle the issue, he said, the report recommended a reorganisation of PSNI roads policing with responsibility for the core area resting on a single Assistant Chief Constable instead of being shared between four.
Placing ownership for roads policing with one senior officer would provide clearer lines of accountability and leadership and give it a higher internal profile within the Police Service, said the report.
During the course of their inspection, the inspectors said the were concerned to find current arrangements for investigating fatal and serious road accident were weak.
“Inspectors found the standard of investigation and quality of evidence being presented to the PPS \[Public Prosecution Service] for criminal prosecutions, and to the Coroner for inquest adjudications, was poorer than that found in England and Wales,” said Ken Williams, Inspector with HM Inspector of Constabulary.
However he added: “The PSNI has already shown its commitment to improving current arrangements, by taking forward the Inspectorates’ recommendation to introduce a dedicated crash and collision investigation unit as part of a detailed action plan prepared in response to this report.”
A small team of fatal and serious road traffic collision investigation officers will be established by the PSNI to carry out the work until the crash and collision investigation unit is up and running.