Stop speeding through roadworks
18 Sep 2009
Police are reminding motorists to obey all temporary speed limits at roadworks across Northern Ireland.
Major roadworks on the M1, alongside ongoing improvements along sections of the A1 between Sprucefield and Newry are each governed by clearly signposted temporary speed restrictions.
Acting Chief Inspector Rosie Leech explained: “In the past week for example, our mobile camera units have detected over 180 vehicles exceeding the temporary speed limit on the M1 through the roadworks between Lisburn and Belfast.
“Excessive or inappropriate speed was the most common cause of fatal and serious injury collisions in 2008/2009 in Northern Ireland, so breaking temporary speed limits though roadworks, particularly where contractors are working in close proximity to traffic is incredibly dangerous and will not be tolerated.
”At these major roadworks lane alignment, road layout and temporary surfaces can change regularly, in addition, in many instances there is no hard shoulder available so it is absolutely critical that motorists drive at a safe speed for the prevailing conditions of the carriageway. There can be no justification for breaking these temporary speed limits day or night, whether there appears to be work ongoing or not.
“All right thinking and law-abiding motorists will realise that speed restrictions are not there to inconvenience them but to make our roads safer for everyone.
Roy Spiers, DRD Roads Service added: “The temporary traffic arrangements through roadworks , which includes temporary speed limits are designed to reflect the temporary road alignments, the road conditions and to protect not only the workforce but also the travelling public. There can be distractions and it is therefore important for drivers to concentrate on their driving through roadworks sites, observe the limits and be prepared for the unexpected as road layouts are often changed to facilitate the works.”
Acting Chief Inspector Leech added that in addition to deploying the police safety camera vans within the roadworks, police were given the power to enforce the offence of 'Breach of Temporary Speed Limits' in July 2007. Motorists caught speeding could face a fixed-penalty ticket, a court appearance, or even disqualification.
“Since this legislation was introduced we regularly carry out routine checks at roadworks with temporary speed restrictions. We cannot be any clearer with our warning. We do not want to catch you speeding; we want to stop you speeding,” she concluded.
