North campaign nets 1,000 speeders

MORE than 1,000 drivers were caught speeding in a new road safety blitz across the North, police revealed yesterday.

Scores of motorists will also be prosecuted for drink or drug driving following the week-long crackdown.

With the death toll still alarmingly high, police chiefs said the Operation Viper campaign proved they were getting tough with those causing mayhem.

Chief Superintendent Wesley Wilson said: “Sadly 123 people have been killed on our roads so far this year. Speeding, dangerous driving, and driving while under the influence, can lead to tragedy.

“We have promised we will be robust and targeted in our enforcement,” he said.

Traffic police swamped motorways and roads across Northern Ireland for the operation, staged last week in two phases in urban and rural regions. Figures show:

1,132 motorists were detected for speeding;

317 people were detected for careless driving;

47 people will be prosecuted for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;

601 people were detected not wearing a seat belt;

58 people were detected driving without insurance;

Five people were detected for dangerous driving.

Even though police have pledged there will be no let-up, Mr Wilson insisted motorists should shoulder the main responsibility.

“If every driver in Northern Ireland reduced speed, drove with more care and attention, wore seat belts and never drove after drinking then we would be looking at many fewer tragedies on our roads,” he said.