Police encouraged by results of clamp down

The campaign, known as Operation Viper, aims to cut road deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

So far in 2003, 35 people have died in road accidents in Northern Ireland.

More than 5,500 people have been detected or reported for alleged traffic offences since the start of the Police Service of Northern Ireland operation on 14 February.

FOCUS OF OPERATION VIPER Speeding Drinking and driving Not wearing seatbelts Reckless driving

The operation was mounted on six days during the two week period.

Police said the results indicated there was still a "hardcore of drivers" who broke the law by drink driving, speeding, driving recklessly or not wearing a seatbelt.

BREAKDOWN OF DETECTIONS Dangerous driving: 15 Careless driving: 202 Drink driving arrests: 156 Speeding: 1908 No seatbelt: 1003 No insurance: 154 Driving while disqualified: 21 Less serious offences: 2057

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said on Monday that too many lives had been lost and too many families devastated by the "selfish actions of others".

Speeding and alcohol are thought to be key factors in many accidents and deaths.

Mr McCausland said: "An element within our society continues to drink and drive, but we will continue to track these drivers down and prosecute them."