PSNI educates youngsters on vehicle modification

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is taking action to tackle the potentially fatal issue of illegally-modified vehicles. The PSNI has supplied further education colleges in the country with cars from its vehicle recovery scheme. They are being provided to help mechanical engineering students learn the importance of modifying cars to a legal standard.

Road safety education officers have been visiting the colleges to deliver road safety advice and answer any queries the students have on legal modifications. Students will also have the opportunity to attend track days at Kirkistown racing circuit later in the year and have a chance to drive the modified vehicles on the racetrack.

The force has also secured sponsorship to have a former road policing Mitsubishi Evolution VIII modified by local motor trade companies. Entitled ‘Project Evo’, the vehicle has been refitted and modified to show exact legal requirements and will be used to promote road safety at events across Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the initiative, Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland believes the key to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads lies in education: “Already this year, six lives have been lost on our roads and many more people have been seriously injured. Sadly, young people aged between 17 and 24 are consistently over represented in these statistics. The real tragedy is that a vast majority of road traffic collisions are preventable.

“In addition to slowing down, never drinking or taking drugs before driving, wearing a seatbelt and driving with greater care and attention, drivers must make sure their vehicles are free from defects. Modifications, particularly to a vehicle’s suspension, can be extremely dangerous if not done properly.

“Drivers must realise these dangers. We have no issue with cars being modified, providing the work is done professionally. This is what we are aiming to highlight through car modification schemes at technical colleges and the road safety educational vehicle – Project Evo.”

Commenting on the initiative, Northern Ireland Minister Edwin Poots said: “I welcome this initiative to promote road safety to young drivers with a keen interest in car modification.

“It is well known that 17 to 24-year-olds are most at risk on our roads and at this stage of these young people’s lives, it is so important that they are aware of their responsibility as car users.”