06/03/2007
Policing Board Chairman discusses traffic disruption
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Professor Sir Desmond Rea, has met with PSNI Assistant Chief Constable, Duncan McCausland, to discuss the police handling of the traffic disruption that occurred in and around Belfast on Tuesday 20 February 2007.
There was widespread chaos across much of Belfast after a fatal accident involving a bus where one man was killed.
The Policing Board is responsible for supporting the police towards the delivery of effective and efficient policing, and for holding the PSNI to account for the delivery of these ends.
This includes ensuring that PSNI have the correct procedures in place for the effective and efficient management of serious road traffic collisions and traffic disruption, and that these procedures are adhered to.
Explaining the decision to request this meeting with ACC McCausland, Sir Desmond said: “The fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the M2 on 20 February was a personal tragedy and our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family of the man who died.
“The handling of the traffic disruption resulting from this collision, and a second unrelated collision at the Broadway junction, by the PSNI and Roads Service has been the subject of much public and media debate.
“On behalf of the Policing Board, I wanted to discuss this with ACC McCausland and be assured that PSNI had managed this incident in the most effective manner and that all reasonable steps are being taken to improve the handling of similar incidents in the future.”
He continued: “Whilst I understand the frustration of road users who find themselves caught up in major traffic disruption – and I was one of them – it is important to remember that the police have an important job to do in these incidents.”
Sir Desmond said he believed the officers involved had a duty to “conduct a full and rigorous investigation into the circumstances of this man’s death.”
He concluded saying he hoped the motoring public could help by ensuring they adhere strictly to the Highway Code.
“It is our primary aim to make our roads safer for all road users, which I know everyone supports.”
(JM/SP)
There was widespread chaos across much of Belfast after a fatal accident involving a bus where one man was killed.
The Policing Board is responsible for supporting the police towards the delivery of effective and efficient policing, and for holding the PSNI to account for the delivery of these ends.
This includes ensuring that PSNI have the correct procedures in place for the effective and efficient management of serious road traffic collisions and traffic disruption, and that these procedures are adhered to.
Explaining the decision to request this meeting with ACC McCausland, Sir Desmond said: “The fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the M2 on 20 February was a personal tragedy and our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family of the man who died.
“The handling of the traffic disruption resulting from this collision, and a second unrelated collision at the Broadway junction, by the PSNI and Roads Service has been the subject of much public and media debate.
“On behalf of the Policing Board, I wanted to discuss this with ACC McCausland and be assured that PSNI had managed this incident in the most effective manner and that all reasonable steps are being taken to improve the handling of similar incidents in the future.”
He continued: “Whilst I understand the frustration of road users who find themselves caught up in major traffic disruption – and I was one of them – it is important to remember that the police have an important job to do in these incidents.”
Sir Desmond said he believed the officers involved had a duty to “conduct a full and rigorous investigation into the circumstances of this man’s death.”
He concluded saying he hoped the motoring public could help by ensuring they adhere strictly to the Highway Code.
“It is our primary aim to make our roads safer for all road users, which I know everyone supports.”
(JM/SP)
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