Lack of insurance, excess speed and drink driving were the most common driving offences committed in Northern Ireland last year, according to new figures.
Combined, these offences were committed at a rate of 126-a-day.
More than 19,000 driving offences were recorded in 2023, statistics from Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) show.
Less common driving-related crimes listed include the licence holder being “disqualified in NI as result of crown dependency or small island disqualification” and “wasting police time” through making a “false declaration”.
Figures show that 19,089 driving offences were committed in 2022. In 2023 this increased to 19,172 and, from January 1 to June 25 of this year, 7,880 offences were recorded.
In 2023 the most common offence was driving with no insurance (4,113 offences), excess speed (4,067 offences) and drivers behind the wheel with excess alcohol in their breath, which accounted for 1,396 cases.
Other less common offences — accounting for less than five cases in 2023 — include drivers caught using forged documents and resisting police.
The news comes after funding cuts to DfI have led to a reduction in road safety advertising, while there has also been cuts to the number of PSNI road policing officers, again due to financial constraints.
The SDLP’s Mark H Durkan
Mark H Durkan is the SDLP’s infrastructure spokesperson and a member of the Policing Board.
He said that, while some offences may be considered minor, it is important to remember that “all it takes is one second of diverted attention or carelessness to cause a tragedy on our roads”.
Mr Durkan added: “I have repeatedly raised the need for increased advertising around road safety, both in terms of reviving stark campaigns which have worked so successfully in the past and have also encouraged the PSNI to work with community and sporting organisations and launch campaigns to get the message out there about the dangers on our roads.
“We know that the number of road policing officers has decreased at a time when road deaths are on the increase and the PSNI is under huge staffing and resource pressure. The only way those challenges will be addressed is through proper funding which has not been forthcoming.”
PSNI superintendent John Wilson said road safety is a priority for the force and officers conduct proactive operations on a regular basis to detect and prosecute those committing road traffic offences.
“In addition the police service works with statutory, voluntary and community partners to make our roads safer and educate the public on the dangers of using the road network in an inappropriate manner,” he said.
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“Police want to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and information they need to stay safe on our roads and we all share the responsibility to prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
A DfI spokesperson pointed out that 71 people died on our roads in 2023, the highest number in eight years.
They added that a new road safety strategy has recently been approved and a new digital road safety campaign was launched in July.
“In addition, in conjunction with the NI Road Safety Partnership, the department launched a new road safety advertising campaign in December to highlight the dangers of careless driving, while the anti-speeding campaign ‘Classroom’ was also aired earlier this year,” they said. “One of the best ways to ensure safety on our roads and fulfil our long-term goal of eliminating death and serious injury by 2050, is by changing road user behaviour. We all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe.”