Police in the North are to intensify a road safety campaign in a bid to cut the number of motoring deaths, they announced today.
As medical chiefs backed new moves to end the carnage, drivers were warned extra patrols and cameras will be used in the coming weeks. Officers want to halt the speeding and drink/drug driving that has played a major part in taking the death toll to 123 so far this year.
The increases will involve surges of concentrated road policing, known as Operation Viper, which has already led to hundreds of arrests. With speed the biggest killer in five of the last six years, and also accounting for a quarter of all road deaths, drivers breaking the limits are a top priority.
Figures up to the end of August show that of the 89 collisions in which at least one person died, excessive speed was the biggest cause. It caused 19 deaths, while drink or drugs driving came in second at 16.
A survey organised by District Policing Partnerships included speeding as one of the top five concerns in Northern Ireland.
Motorists either drunk or high on drugs will also be targeted, along with dangerous drivers, and those flouting the seatbelt rules.
The crackdown will run alongside the Christmas anti-drink driving campaign.
PA