New plan to tackle speeding

Starting this week speed awareness courses will be offered to drivers who are detected breaking the speed limits by just a few miles an hour.

Speaking about the new initiative, local police commander Chief Inspector Jason Murphy said: “Excessive speed for the conditions is the single biggest killer of people on Northern Ireland roads. This is the final warning for those who continue to break the speed limits.

“Additional road policing patrols have been deployed across Northern Ireland to target people who take the completely selfish decision to speed and put other people at risk. These new diversionary courses will re-educate speeding road users and graphically illustrate the very real dangers and consequences of breaking the speed limit.

“Driver and riders who participate will find the interactive sessions very challenging. They will gain an insight to tragic and horrific consequences that often result from reckless driving and be urged to take more responsibility for their actions on the roads. ”

Those detected of speeding and who are aged 25 years and over, will be able to attend a Speed Awareness Scheme. Those aged under 25 years and detected speeding will be offered the chance to complete a Young Drivers Scheme.

Drivers will pay 85 (including VAT) to attend each course which covers the cost of administering and delivering the schemes. They will only be available to drivers who meet certain eligibility criteria. The Young Drivers Scheme and Speed Awareness Scheme will not be offered to drivers who exceed the speed limit excessively, or those who have attended a national speed awareness course in the past three years.