Road deaths prompt calls for action
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Investigators at the scene of the fatal accident on the Curragh road in Coleraine on Monday between a car and a van. Pic Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography.
COLERAINE'S roads claimed two more lives this week, prompting calls for renewed police efforts to tackle speeding and careless driving.
Christopher Michael Horton died on Monday following a two vehicle accident on the Curragh Road.
It's understood the 22-year-old from Aghadowey was the driver of a Fiat Brava car which was in a head on collision with a Renault Traffic van shortly before 3pm.
The driver of the van was taken to hospital but was released a short time later.
The accident occurred just three days after a 37-year-old motorcyclist was killed on the Ballyrashane Road.
The dead man was named as Mark Proctor. His bike was in collision with a tractor around 8.25am on Friday.
Mr Proctor, from Derrykeighan was the 71st person to die on Ulster's roads this year - and the 12th motorcyclist - and his funeral took place yesterday (Tuesday August 19).
Father of three Mark Proctor was killed when his motorcycle collided with a tractor as he travelled along the Ballyrashane Road around 8.25am. He was buried at Ballywillan cemetry in Portrush after a short service at the family home yesterday.
The family are said to be 'devastated'.
He is survived by his wife Amanda, three children Niall Grace and Molly, parents Christine and Phillip, his two brothers Adrian and Allan as well as a wider circle of family and friends.
Meanwhile, police promised to redouble efforts to tackle speeding and careless driving.
At Monday's quarterly meeting of Coleraine District Policing Partnership, Acting Chief Inspector John Wisener admitted his officers had failed to meet targets aimed at reducing road accidents.
Instead of bringing more people before the courts for careless and dangerous driving, the number of prosecutions actually fell by 20 per cent over the last three months.
“Whilst the target has not been met we will continue to mount operations aimed at these offenders," said Chief Inspector Wisener.
DPP member James McClure said the targets were "very important" considering the two fatalities over the weekend.
Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr David Barbour said he was distressed by the accidents over the weekend and extended "deepest sympathies" to the families of the two dead men.
“This is a terrible tragedy and I want to give my sincere condolences to the families of the men killed and the injured parties.
“I have been driving for a long time and I have noticed a great increase in speed in recent years, couple with very powerful vehicles," he continued.
“Something like this give us another reminder to be more careful. Every death means an empty chair in somebody's home," added cllr Barbour.
