Police detect hundreds of road offences during Easter safety campaign

Police made hundreds of detections for driving-related offences on roads across Northern Ireland during the Easter holiday road safety campaign.

The offences, which include excess speed, careless driving, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drink/drugs, failure to wear a seatbelt and no insurance, were made between Friday morning, 3 April, and midnight on Monday, 6 April.

Over this weekend period, provisional police figures as of 14th April, reveal 43 arrests were made for drink or drug driving offences.

During this same period, 667 speed detections were made across Northern Ireland. Of these, 621 were made by Road Safety Camera Vans deployed at various locations across Northern Ireland. 

There were 42 detections for driving a vehicle with no insurance while 10 drivers were caught using their mobile phone, and six for not wearing a seat belt.

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Head of Road Policing, Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson says the provisional figures to date, which are subject to change, show too many drivers are continuing to risk their own safety and that of other road users. 

"Anyone who chooses to get into a car and drive when intoxicated, or chooses not to wear a seatbelt, drives dangerously or carelessly, or is using their phone behind the wheel, does so because they don't think the worst will ever happen to them," says Chief Inspector Simpson. "They've made a choice, and it's these type of choices that risk the lives of drivers, their passengers and other road users.” 

Head of Road Policing for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson.

Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson makes this appeal: "To drivers and road users, you are responsible for your own safety and that of other road users. Safe driving is not down to luck. It requires discipline and your 100 per cent focus on the road at all times. 

"Tragically, 22 people have died on roads across Northern Ireland since the start of 2026. This is more than a statistic. These are catastrophic losses for everyone impacted.

“We can and must do more to help reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roads, and our Fatal Five campaign must become your daily reminder of what you need to do to stay safe.

"Stay focused, control your speed, put down your phone, never drink or drug drive, don't get distracted and always wear your seatbelt."