‘Slow down and help save lives’: Police issue urgent Easter road safety plea

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson and Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson. 

As the Easter holiday weekend approaches, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a robust appeal to drivers to curb speeding and prioritise road safety.

Speaking at a press conference in Belfast today, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson of the PSNI’s Operational Support Department unveiled Operation Lifesaver, a new initiative aimed at tackling speeding across Northern Ireland’s roads.

With the holiday period expected to see a surge in traffic, the PSNI has pledged to intensify road safety operations across all districts. This will include the deployment of road safety camera vans and increased officer presence to deter dangerous driving behaviours.

The campaign comes as part of a broader effort to address the ‘Fatal Five’ – the primary causes of road deaths, which include speeding, drink or drug driving, careless driving, not wearing seat belts, and using mobile phones while driving.

An Operation Lifesaver billboard in Belfast. 

“Speeding is one of the Fatal Five, the main contributory reasons why people are dying on our roads,” Chief Superintendent Donaldson said. He highlighted the devastating impact of speeding, noting that it was the primary cause in nearly 10% of fatal and serious collisions over the past year.

“These collisions have devastated families and communities, leaving loved ones grappling with unimaginable grief and others with life-changing injuries.”

The PSNI’s data underscores the urgency of the issue. Speeding not only increases the likelihood of collisions but also amplifies their severity, often resulting in catastrophic consequences.

“Speed can cause crashes, it can end in tragedy,” Donaldson stressed. “All of us who drive have a responsibility to keep everyone safe on the roads and help save lives. This means sticking to speed limits, paying attention, slowing down, and taking our time.”

With schools closed and many families taking to the roads for Easter getaways, the PSNI anticipates busier-than-usual traffic conditions. Donaldson urged drivers to reflect on their choices before setting off.

“No matter how far you are travelling, please remember this – if you speed, you could end up being involved in a collision, an injury collision, or even a fatal collision,” he said.

The consequences of speeding extend beyond the immediate risk of collisions. Drivers caught exceeding speed limits face a range of penalties, including fines, mandatory speed awareness courses, penalty points on their licences, or court appearances.

In severe cases, offenders could lose their driving licences, face cancelled insurance policies, job losses, reputational damage, or even imprisonment.

“If you speed and are involved in a collision, you risk causing damage to other vehicles and property, and serious injuries or death to others,” Donaldson warned.

Operation Lifesaver is designed to reinforce the message that road safety is a shared responsibility.

The PSNI is calling on all drivers to take a moment before each journey to consider the potential consequences of their actions.

“Take a few minutes before you drive off and think – how do you want your car journey to end?” Donaldson asked. “You have the power to keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe. Play your part, slow down, and help save lives.”

The PSNI’s Easter campaign serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of reckless driving. By adhering to speed limits and the Fatal Five principles, drivers can help prevent tragedies and ensure safer roads for all. As the holiday weekend approaches, the message is clear: a moment of caution could make all the difference.