An Armagh City resident has raised a number of concerns arising from “loud” and “speeding” cars which seem to be continuously wreaking havoc in the city centre.
The resident – who wished to remain anonymous – sent a typed letter to Armagh I detailing the ongoing issues in and around the Lower English Street, Shambles and Cathedral Road area.
In this letter, they alleged that there are cars “doing at least 50 miles per hour with their engines so loud, and also their exhausts making banging noises like shots going off” both in the early hours of the morning and late at night.
However, they note their “final straw” was when this happened at 6am on Easter Sunday morning.
The resident explained that so constant is the noise that it’s become “hell on earth” for those having to live with it.
In a call to action, a portion of the letter read: “To anyone who has been affected by these cars I say stand up to these people, inundate the PSNI and your local councillors with complaints every time it happens. Let them know it has to stop, not tomorrow, not next week, not next month… but NOW!”
In response to the letter, Armagh I contacted PSNI for comment. A spokesperson subsequently advised that police are aware of vehicle-related anti-social behaviour issues in the centre of Armagh city and continue to proactively patrol the area.
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Cordner said: “Anyone who drives in a way that causes annoyance in our community should be aware that they will face the consequences of their actions.
“We recently became aware of a video posted on social media showing a vehicle performing ‘donuts’ in a car park in the city centre. Children were present and these dangerous actions put them at risk.
“We were able to identify the driver and attended his home and issue a warning for anti-social driving of a vehicle. A file was also sent to the PPS in respect of careless driving.
“The driver, a man aged in his 30s, continued to drive in an anti-social manner, despite the warning, As a result, his vehicle was seized.
Sergeant Cordner continued: “We know that this is causing concern within the local community and where resources allow will conduct additional patrols, alongside ongoing engagement with our partner agencies, local representatives and the community.
“We are appealing to drivers who may attend the area to race and perform unsafe manoeuvres to act responsibly and not take part in such dangerous behaviour.
“This type of activity can have a negative impact on your community. It is reckless and local residents who have to endure it and the excessive noise generated can find it extremely distressing.
“If you are driving on the roads or in a public place, you need to take it seriously. Be aware of your responsibility to yourself and those travelling with you, and others. This means sticking to the speed limits, paying attention on the road, slowing down and taking our time.
“Speeding is one of the Fatal Five, the five main contributory reasons why people are dying on our roads. Of the fatal and serious collisions over the last year – collisions that have devastated families and communities and left loved ones dealing with unimaginable grief and others with life changing injuries – we know that speeding was the main causation factor in close to 10 per cent of cases, and a contributory factor in many other collisions.
“We would urge anyone who observes this type of dangerous driving in their area to note down the registration details of the offending vehicles and contact police immediately on the non-emergency number 101.”
For more information on the Fatal Five and Operation Lifesaver, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s new approach to speeding, please see https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/operation-lifesaver-slow-down-and-save-lives
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