Robust targeted enforcement is the key to reducing the unacceptably high number of people killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland’s roads according to a new report on Roads Policing.
The inspection report, jointly published today by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), has revealed that when direct comparisons are made, there are more people killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland roads than in England, Scotland and Wales.
“Death and serious injury on the roads of Northern Ireland is a major problem. Between 1969 and 2001, 7,291 people died on the roads compared with 3,331 who lost their lives during the same period as a result of the Troubles,” said Brendan McGuigan, Deputy Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
“In order to tackle this issue, we have recommended the PSNI reorganise its roads policing function. Responsibility for this core area of business should rest with one Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) instead of being shared between four ACCs,” he said.
Placing ownership for roads policing with one senior officer will provide clearer lines of accountability and leadership and give it a higher internal profile within the Police Service.
During the course of the inspection, Inspectors were concerned to find current arrangements for investigating fatal and serious road traffic collisions were weak.
“Inspectors found the standard of investigation and quality of evidence being presented to the PPS for criminal prosecutions, and to the Coroner for inquest adjudications, was poorer than that found in England and Wales,” said Ken Williams, Inspector with Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary.
“However, the PSNI has already shown its commitment to improving current arrangements, by taking forward the Inspectorates’ recommendation to introduce a dedicated crash and collision investigation unit as part of a detailed Action Plan prepared in response to this report,” Mr Williams added.
A small team of fatal and serious road traffic collision investigating officers will be established by PSNI to carry out this work until the crash and collision investigation unit is up and running.
As part of this inspection, CJI and HMIC teamed up with the Garda Síochána Inspectorate in the Republic of Ireland to provide an all-island perspective of Roads Policing. A separate report by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate will be published in the near future.
“Many of the problems encountered in Northern Ireland are shared by the Republic. That is why it is important the PSNI continues to develop its existing links with its colleagues in An Garda Síochána. These links are championed by their respective roads/traffic units and help to address issues such as the higher rate of road deaths in border areas,” said Mr McGuigan
“Close co-operation between the island’s two policing organisations and other law enforcement agencies such as the DoE’s Driver and Vehicle Agency, will also reduce opportunities where the border can be exploited by those involved in criminal activity,” he added.
“CJI and HMIC welcomes the commitment shown by the PSNI and the DoE to addressing the issues and recommendations contained in the report. We look forward to reviewing their progress in 12 months time,” concluded the two senior Inspectors.
(Please see below for a breakdown of the number of people killed and seriously injured by council area during 2007-08).