Police crack down on unsafe driving
Police crack down on unsafe drivingIsrael Police

The Israel Police cracked down on Judea and Samaria's often-flouted driving laws after a deadly accident earlier this month left two children dead.

During the week-long operation, police ticketed over 1,145 drivers and 46 had their license suspended. In addition, 33 cars were impounded after police decided that the vehicles were a threat to public safety.

"The police will continue to enforce traffic law against violators that cause accidents," said a police spokesperson after the crackdown.

The stepped-up enforcement comes after a tragic car accident earlier this month left Ori Lipnik and her eight-year-old brother Roi dead near their town of Shavei Shomron in Samaria.

An initial investigation revealed that an Arab vehicle lost control after apparently traveling at breakneck speed - especially dangerous due to prevailing road conditions - hit a safety railing, bounced into the middle of the road and blocked the Lipnik family vehicle, which could not stop in time.

The collision shed light on the dangerous driving and lax enforcement by the police on Judea and Samaria roads and many called on the police to act to prevent the next tragedy.

"We're already crying and pleading with all the enforcement authorities to do something," said Jewish Home MK and Samaria resident Nissan Slomiansky. "People drive on these roads like madmen, mainly the Arabs, besides that fact that the roads aren't in good condition. The Arabs drive like maniacs, as if their lives were worthless ... this mustn't be allowed to happen."