Cars congregated at the Railway Car Park in Enniskillen
THE police have issued a strong warning to young, anti-social drivers, who have been disturbing residents in Enniskillen in recent times, that if they continue with their noisy behaviour their cars will be seized.
Recently, residents living the town have been getting woken from their sleep by the sound of loud screeching and banging exhausts from cars speeding around the town late at night.
One resident who contacted the Herald said they had been disturbed on a number of nights at various times, the latest being 2am. Inspector Roy Robinson of Enniskillen Police station confirmed the PSNI had a number of reports of such behaviour, and officers were now taking action to tackle the problem.
Branding such behaviour “unacceptable”, Insp Robinson said the Road Traffic Act gave officers power to seize cars from nuisance drivers if need be.
“If officers see or find someone driving in a careless or inconsiderate manner they can report they offence, or they can give you a warning,” he said. “If a second warning is given your car will be seized and you will face a bill for several hundred pounds to get it back, and you will find yourself before the courts.”
Insp Robinson added that quite recently one young driver found themselves before Enniskillen Magistrates Court after a case of such “inconsiderate” driving at Quay Lane car park in the town.
“We really want to get the message out there that these drivers are in danger of losing their car if they continue. That is, if they use the car in a manner that causes annoyance or distress to others. People living in the town have the right to enjoy a peaceful life.”
Insp Robinson said it was “certainly a younger age group” engaging in such activities, and reminded drivers that when they are causing a nuisance within the town they are likely disturbing residents who are trying to sleep, including children.
He added the PSNI were working closely with local residents and the road service on the issue, and reminded drivers that “the road space is to be shared by all.”
However, while complaints about the noise of young drivers may persist, one retired officer who worked in the police traffic branch, said he believed young drivers had become much more safety conscious in recent years, mainly because they were worried about damaging their cars.
“Young guys are more proud of their cars now,” he explained. “It’s costing them that much in insurance to stay on the road, and it’s my experience that kids only think about what hits them in the pocket, and peer pressure.
“From what I can see is there is a lot less drink driving, for example. The kids are so sensible now they wouldn’t even take one drink. The are so switched on, they take their turns driving their friends about and lapping the town at night.”
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