18% of speed camera bookings in NI in Foyle

Indeed, 18 per cent of all speed camera bookings in Northern Ireland last year were in the Foyle constituency which either had a higher concentration of reckless motorists or a more effective safety camera detection scheme than anywhere else, according to the newly-released figures from the Department of Justice (DoJ).

In neighbouring Limavady there were 1,402 detections over the same period whilst in Strabane there were 431 detections.

But a whopping 18 per cent of all safety camera speeding detections in Northern Ireland last year were in Londonderry which was nearly twice the number of detections in the third highest constituency area, Castlereagh (4,803), and almost treble the number in the fourth highest constituency area, Magherafelt (2,985).

DUP Alderman Joe Miller said that whilst it was important to take every step necessary to stem the annual carnage on our roads it was equally important to ensure any imbalances were accounted for.

“We are all aware of the carnage on the roads and it must stop. First of all we want people who are driving dangerously and who are speeding to be caught and dealt with,” said Alderman Miller.

“But if there is an imbalance or if there is an anomaly of any kind let the PSNI explain that,” he added.” The local District Policing Partnership (DPP) is the body set up to do that and in the past we have asked questions about certain areas that were being targeted.”

Justice Minister David Ford outlined the figures in response to an Assembly Question setting out the number of speeding detections for the financial year 2010/11 by Area Command.

The data relate specifically to Safety Camera Scheme Speeding Detections by Area Command in 2010/2011.