Overview
- Five people died over the weekend in four crashes, bringing this year’s road death toll to 29, double the 14 at this point in 2025.
- Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones delivered the joint plea on Wednesday in East Belfast.
- The PSNI said drivers will see a visible patrol presence this weekend targeting drink or drug driving, speeding, mobile phone use, not wearing seatbelts, and inattention.
- Officials flagged extra risk from the May bank holiday and next week’s North West 200 in Portrush, a major motorcycling event that draws heavy traffic.
- They said the spike follows recent modest improvements and stressed the human cost, noting 29 lost lives equals a classroom of students.