Tyrone among worst for drinking driving, PSNI figures reveal

TYRONE has one of the highest rates of drink drivers in Northern Ireland, according to a new police report.

The ‘Motoring Offence Statistics for Northern Ireland 2024 Annual Report’, published by the PSNI, shows that the highest number of drink or drug driving offences by population were recorded in the Omagh and Fermanagh district, as well as Derry City and Strabane.

In Omagh and Fermanagh, there were 25 offenders per 10,000 people. In Derry City and Strabane, the figure was 24 per 10,000.

In the Mid Ulster policing district, there were 21 drink/drug driving offenders per 10,000 people.

The district also recorded one of the highest speeds of the year – 115mph – on the Cookstown Road. Across the three districts, a total of 8,251 motoring offences were recorded in 2024.

Head of Road Policing, Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson said: “This report shows there were hundreds of detections made for drink/drug driving in the districts of Omagh and Fermanagh, and Derry City & Strabane in 2024. It’s really disappointing and concerning so many drivers continued to disregard the safety of themselves and others, by taking the incredibly dangerous risk of driving after drinking or taking drugs.

“With regards speeding detections made in Mid Ulster, it is disappointing drivers are continuing to get into their vehicles and speed. It is also very worrying because it shows that far too many drivers are putting their lives and other roads users lives at risk.”

Despite the drink drive figures, motoring offences across the North overall have decreased. In the past year, the number of recorded driving offences has fallen by 16 per-cent (6,697) compared to 2023.

Cases referred for prosecution dropped by 16 per-cent, and fixed penalty notices were down 19 per-cent. The only increase was in the number of offenders referred to speed awareness courses, which rose by eight per-cent on the previous year.