Are police using all their powers against boy racers?
SECTIONS of the public remain consistently un-impressed with the actions of police to tackle dangerous driving in particular areas throughout Mid-Ulster, and statistics recently obtained by the MAIL suggest a massive difference in the role of two adjacent policing command areas.
New powers introduced last year which would allow officers to call upon the assistance of Road Policing Teams to seize vehicles deemed to be causing alarm, distress or annoyance had been warmly welcomed by the public as a possible strong deterrent against dangerous drivers.
But while the powers have been embraced in the Cookstown Area Command Unit, the MAIL has learned that in the first seven months since their introduction, not one seizure had been recorded for the Magherafelt Area which includes towns such as Maghera and Draperstown.
The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show that from the beginning of April 2009 to the end of October, 24 seizures had been recorded in the Cookstown area while Magherafelt had failed even to implement their new powers.
At the time of their introduction it was anticipated that the powers would act as a deterrent against dangerous drivers, igniting a fear that reckless driving could lead to the seizure of their vehicle.
People from notoriously problematic areas throughout Mid-Ulster however, claim that not enough is being done to stamp it out.
And in Draperstown, an area the police have described a ‘hot spot’, a Facebook page uniting the views of deeply concerned residents has sprung up with people from right across the district pledging their support.
A member of ‘Safer Streets In Draperstown’ anonymously told the MAIL that the people of the town were regularly disappointed with the actions of the police.
“The people of Draperstown are sick of the police coming in during the day and racking up easy money on minor offences whilst turning a complete blind eye to the thugs who rally and wreck at nightime,” he claimed.
Another of the group’s member was shocked to learn of the figures.
“The relevant authorities who have the power to implement change shouldn't have to be badgered into responding and reacting, but appear more pro-active.
“It seems unsettling that 15mins drive from here the PSNI can and have implemented change in Cookstown, whereas it appears here nothing is changing anytime soon,” he claimed.
“As a collective interest and body of people we need to see the authorities and local council representatives take a more aggressive approach to an ever-escalating problem.
“It's time this problem is addressed, urgently, before this issue takes precedence on the front page of this newspaper, announcing another death.”
Elsewhere on the group’s busy page, people have spoke of their brush with dangerous drivers calling into question the actions of road policing here.
A spokesperson for Magherafelt PSNI said implementation of the new powers is just one available avenue open to police.
“Police in Magherafelt have been working closely with the community and other agencies to address poor driving standards and other vehicle related issues over the last 12 months,” they said.
“The new powers to seize vehicles is just one option open to police, and what works for one area may not necessarily be the best option for another.
“Naturally we will seek to do whatever we can with existing powers to keep our roads safe however enforcement is just one aspect.
“It is imperative that motorists are properly educated on the rules and regulations of the roads and adopt a responsible attitude towards driving,” they added.
Are you affected by dangerous drivers in your area? What do you want to see done about it? Text MMCOMMENT
(your message) to 81800
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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