'Driving is not a right - it's a privilege' - top road policing officer says
PSNI's Inspector Rosie Leech urges drivers to take more responsibility ahead of winter operation
Last updated 13th Nov 2018
One of the PSNI's top road policing officers today (Tuesday) urges drivers to take responsibility for their own actions.
Inspector Rosie Leech spoke to Downtown & Cool FM news ahead of their winter operation, which will launch on November 30.
She says new powers brought in make it easier for officers to tackle the issue of drink-driving over the festive period.
"We got the new powers to conduct vehicle checkpoints and what we do is breathalyse everyone that comes through - we don't need cause or suspicion - we just breathalyse everyone," she told us.
"That has sent out a really strong message and positive message and what we have we've seen in the results in the last few Christmas is actually the proportion of people testing positive has fallen - and that's exactly what we are hoping to do this season".
Last year, 137 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in just two weeks of their winter operation.
Inspector Leech hopes that figure will drop this season - but warned that drivers need to take more responsibility.
"The biggest challenge in it all is to get drivers to accept their responsibility in this issue - it should not be the fear of getting caught by police that makes you not drink and drive - or speed."
Rosie also warned about the issue of speeding on our roads - with the number of people caught speeding here trebling since 2004.
She pleaded with road users here to take responsibility for their own life - and more importantly those around them.
"Like all public services and resources, we are shrinking, meaning we cannot be everywhere, so it is about pleading with the public to say driving is not a right, it's a privilege to have a driving license and access to a car and you have got to use it responsibly," she added.