PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: PSNI NEED TO LEAD ON ROAD SAFETY

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns said the PSNI must spearhead a strong community campaign on road safety.

Commenting on the report by the Criminal Justice Inspection Mr Burns stated: “Putting road safety at the top of our policing agenda should now be regarded as part of the whole normalisation process – that fact is that all during the Troubles our roads killed twice as many people as the actual violence.

“This report shows that our policing performance on the roads is comparatively weak. I welcome the adoption by the PSNI of its core recommendation that a specialised crash and collision unit should be formed and that enforcement should become the responsibility of a single Assistant Chief Constable instead of being shared among four of them as present. This should help improve the quality of prosecution evidence in court cases and ensure that dangerous drivers are taken off the roads more quickly and for longer.

“The report also identified the high cross-border death and injury rate, and this is where the police need wider political support. Sorting out the problems with points systems north and south should be our absolute priority in cross-border co-operation.

“I hope that the findings of a report soon to be published in the south will complement and enhance the recommendations found in this report. Coordinated strategies, aims, and responses on both sides of the border when implemented can act as a catalyst in changing driver behaviour and police performance across the island. Through the Policing Board and the District Policing Partnerships the SDLP will seek assurances that the findings of these reports will be acted on and that the timeframes outlined will be met.”
 

ENDS