Lives being lost on local roads

Two people have died on roads in the Ballymena borough in both 2013-14 and in 2014 to-date, the latest police statistics have revealed.
PSNI 'H' District Commander, Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray.PSNI 'H' District Commander, Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray.
PSNI 'H' District Commander, Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray.

‘H’ District wide, eleven people lost their lives on the roads last year, compared to eight in the months since.

Speaking to local press in Ballymena last Thursday, District Commander Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “It’s a small reduction.

“I would commend my officers for the work they do around that but there is no complacency to be had around these figures,” he said.

It has also emerged that the number of drivers and motorcyclists detected drink driving locally during the Police winter drink drive operation has increased.

In fact, the number of evidential procedures over 2014 Christmas campaign stands at 10 - twice the number for the same period of the previous year.

Province-wide, 270 drink drivers were detected during the campaign which ran from November 27 - January 2, 12 more than during the same period last year.

Chief Superintendent Murray commented: “I would urge the public to think twice if tempted.

“Think where it can end up for the victim and where it can end up for you and your family - the emotional and physical carnage.

“Think carefully before you get into a car... and don’t just plan for that evening, plan for the next day.”

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