More Traffic Police?

The Government has promised a much more visible police presence on our roads, reversing the current trend that’s seen steadily declining numbers of traffic cops across the UK.

The commitment came as part of the Road policing Strategy published today, Tuesday January 11 2005, and also sees an increased commitment to the use of automatic number plate recognition systems, which is likely to get a corresponding crackdown on small number plates. This strategy is reflective on the latest proposals to bring Northern Ireland into line with England and Wales with regards new powers being given to the PSNI and DVTA officers.

The announcement that we'd see more actual police on our roads was accompanied by the statement that the Government will continue to use speed cameras for “cutting casualties and deaths at collision black spots.”

Home Office Minister Caroline Flint commented: "Roads policing is an important and valuable part of day-to-day policing. It not only helps reduce deaths and injuries on the roads, but also reduces anti-social and criminal misuse of vehicles and provides a reassuring presence to the public.

"A key element in the strategy is the increased use of new technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology (ANPR). Officers using ANPR make nine times the number of arrests and contribute to three times the number of offenders brought to justice compared with a conventional officer."

ANPR Technology is one of the proposals already on the agenda for Northern Ireland Public Consultation and to which MAG here has submitted a paper on behalf of Northern Ireland’s Motorcycling Community. The PSNI already have ANPR technology in some traffic cars and want the funding for this to be extended into other road policing vehicles and roadside equipment.

Clare Flint: "Technology is not the whole picture - the strategy will ensure that there is an adequate police presence on the roads to deal with significant problems which cannot be detected by technology, including drink and drug driving, and to help wider crime reduction.”

MAG has a number of concerns regarding some of the NIO Proposals and have requested clarification on some issues which we feel could affect riders' rights. We welcome some of the requests but feel rider freedom could be affected in blanket proposals which target the law abiding majority in a bid to oust the offending minority . 

To view the Northern Ireland Office proposals to improve road safety click Here

Issued 11 Jan 05