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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Older drivers face £2,500 fine for breaking rules amid new crackdown on 'errors'
Elderly drivers may be impacted by a new campaign against driving errors, which focuses on encouraging drivers to declare illnesses or eyesight problems that can affect their driving Drivers have been warned they could be hit with a massive fine for failing to disclose medical conditions correctly – which can lead to deadly consequences on UK roads. It follows the launch of a major campaign, which was aimed at raising awareness around the fitness to drive. The campaign, which was introduced by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, is particularly focussed on elderly motorists and those with health conditions. It also hopes to address increasing concerns about road safety across the country. Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins highlighted the necessity of the campaign, stating that "too many people are killed and seriously injured on our roads every year." She added that, based on evidence, over 95% of road deaths are due to human error. She said: "This campaign is a reminder to us all to keep ourselves and others safe on the roads by making sure we follow the appropriate steps in the event of illness or eyesight issues.' She also warned that if people do not change their attitudes when driving on British roads, the death toll will continue to rise, as reported by GB News. As part of the campaign, social media platforms will be utilised to reach drivers directly, and will point out crucial information about how to keep in line with road safety standards. Kimmins added that the campaign "reminds us of our personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe." As such, it contains two components which are aimed at covering different aspects of road safety. The first component, 'Keep Yourself Right', is designed to remind drivers to take appropriate steps when experiencing health conditions or eyesight issues. This is because these can impact their driving ability. They are also highlighting the importance of keeping driving licence details up to date. This includes bringing attention to the specific requirements that apply to drivers aged over 70, in which they are required to renew their license every three years. Meanwhile, the second part, 'Time to Talk', focuses on those who have concerns about another person's ability to drive safely and hopes to encourage honest conversations between family members and friends about driving capabilities. Under UK law, all drivers suffering from medical conditions affecting their driving ability must inform the Driver and Vehicle Agency. Failure to comply is an offence punishable by fines up to £1,000. However, the agency has warned that those making false claims over their health may face an even steeper penalty and can be hit with fines of up to £2500.
Belfast Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Additional funding to unlock more than 3,000 new homes in Derry
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said additional funding was just one approach to wastewater services Wastewater connections have been unlocked for more than 3,000 new homes in Derry after the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) secured £11m in funding during the June monitoring round. The fresh funding has released capacity to enable more than 2,000 homes through the H2 project in the city, which will be connected over the next 2-3 years, as well as a further thousand homes in the Waterside area.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Maghera's 'big yellow box' being reduced in size
An extra-large yellow box junction which stunned people in Maghera is being reduced in began on Thursday night to remove some of the yellow markings at a junction in the County Londonderry with a population of fewer than 5,000 people, was dubbed "the small town with the big yellow box", after the road paint appeared in stretched more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars. After complaints were raised about the yellow box being too big, the Department for Infrastructure confirmed officials would look again at its has begun to make it smaller, though it is not yet clear what the final size will realm improvements have been taking place in the town for the past well as installing new street furniture and widening footpaths, the project tried to tackle traffic flow sight of so much yellow box paint at one junction sparked UK-wide media coverage, and locals joked that it might become a tourist there is no longer as much to is now the small town with the "not quite so big yellow box".
Belfast Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Stormont Executive has failed A5 victims and cost of putting a wrong right is spiralling
The High Court judge ruled that the decision to give the go-ahead for the dual carriageway scheme was rendered 'irrational' by previous pledges on climate control. The Department for Infrastructure failed to convince the High Court that upgrading the road would not prevent Northern Ireland meeting the net-zero target by 2050, a pledge made in the 2022 Climate Change Act. Former Stormont Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd gave the go-ahead for the 53-mile development between Derry and Aughnacloy in October last year, he has since handed over to party colleague Liz Kimmins. Sinn Fein also voted in favour of the climate act that the High Court now states is incompatible with the current A5 build. The was a face-off in court between locals and landowners v politicians and bears a remarkable resemblance to the court cases mounted by residents that prevented the building of Casement Park back in 2014. The initial approval was quashed by a judge following a legal challenge from residents who were concerned about the stadium's size and potential impact on their area. As a result the build was delayed and costs spiralled, with a huge funding deficit still holding back the project. Earlier this year the Executive agreed a Programme for Government 2024-2027, which outlines its priorities and is a delivery plan for the remainder of this Assembly mandate. It included a pledge that: 'Actions will include progressing delivery of the A5 Western Transport Corridor and publishing an annual Action Plan to support the Road Safety Strategy'. Given the High Court judgment this week it would seem almost impossible to meet that commitment. Solicitor for Alternative A5 Alliance: Quashing of road upgrade is an "extraordinary accomplishment" Timing is key as was noted in the ruling , with the judge saying there was a 'failure to properly show consideration of human rights issues in not imposing a time limit for construction'. Time limits for any building works in Northern Ireland are notoriously difficult to pin down. Perhaps the most startling line of that ruling were the acknowledgement of potential fatalities. 'It is likely that delays in the progression of this scheme will coincide with the occurrence of further loss of life and serious injury on the existing road', said Mr Justice McAlinden. It is already too late for the 57 people who have died on the stretch of road since 2006. 'I am acutely aware that this decision will bring significant, fresh anguish to the doors of those who have been injured and maimed and those who have lost loved ones as a result of road traffic accidents on the existing A5 road,' the judge added. They include Marie O'Brien, whose daughter Caoimhe died in a crash on the A5 in 2016 — she described the ruling as a 'punch in the gut' — and the family of Tyrone Gaelic footballer John Rafferty, 21, killed in a crash in October 2022. The A5 Enough is Enough group set up after his death said the road is 'a death trap'. The judge in this case could only rule on the law in front of him and not the emotions of the case, this was clear in his judgment. The ruling leaves the upgrade of the road in limbo, with no clear path as to how the minister can deliver the pledge to upgrade the road. It will require a community to look inward and decide what they prioritise in terms of the future and if those who oppose the build now consider what they would accept in terms of a future upgrade. But it also raises questions about the ability of Stormont to deliver. The A5 is still a dangerous road, the cost of upgrading it — like the Casement build — will only increase with further delays, and yet as of now the Executive and minister are on a road to nowhere and will need to have a serious rethink about how to deliver on this key PfG pledge.
ITV News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Plans to upgrade A5 road rejected as they do not comply with Northern Ireland climate targets
A judge has ruled that the £1.2bn first phase of the A5 project cannot go ahead in its current form because the plans do not comply with climate change targets in Northern Ireland. A summary of the 100 page document was presented by Judge McAlinden to a packed courtroom that included the Minister for Infrastructure, campaigners, those against the proposed scheme, and the press. Last year the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) announced it was going to build the controversial dual carriageway that would link Derry with Tyrone. Preparatory work had already started on the new route near Ballygawley, including the clearing of land. However, a group known as the A5 Alternative Alliance brought a legal challenge against the decision claiming the plan breaches climate change legislation set out in the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The judge ruled there was an "inadequacy of information for the purpose of lawful decision making" when it comes to the methodology of estimating greenhouse gas emissions. "It would appear that overall, Northern Ireland may have difficulty staying within the first carbon budget that has now been set". The judge also made reference to concerns over human rights saying that the DFI "patently failed to address the human rights concerns" of some of those affected who live along the route of the new proposed road. It is estimated the project will temporarily affect direct access to more than 130 residential properties and will necessitate the demolition of three resident dwellings. Since 2006, more than 50 people have been killed on the road and campaigners claim the upgrade would save lives. Justice McAlinden said he was aware the decision will bring "fresh anguish to the doors of those who have been injured and maimed and those who have lost loved ones". "However the decision to proceed with the scheme must be in accordance with the law and and the principle of the rule of law cannot be subverted even if the motivation for doing so is to achieve what is deemed to constitute a clear societal benefit." The judge added that the "shortcomings" and "short cuts" highlighted in this decision are capable of being remedied and should be done sooner rather than later so a new and safer A5 dual carriageway could be built. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
