Motorists urged to ‘Slow Down’

With a national speed enforcement operation starting this week, we are urging all motorists to stay safe and keep speeds down.

The operation is being run across the UK to raise awareness of the impact speeding can have on collisions and supports the ongoing preventative work that already takes place across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. It’s an opportunity to encourage drivers and riders to reflect on the speeds they choose and, if necessary, to change their minds, slow down and help reduce risk.

Enforcing the speed limits and making the roads safer is a 24/7 priority for us and enforcement takes place across the 3 counties every day. Making the roads safer in West Mercia is also a priority for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, as part of his Safer West Mercia Plan.
Speeding, as well as inappropriate speed, can have a devastating impact on the safety of road users, increasing the risk of a collision and the severity of the consequences. Over the past 3 years 40 people have been killed across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire and 338 seriously injured in collisions where speeding or inappropriate use of speed is noted as a contributory factor.

Throughout the operation our road safety team, police officers, PCSO’s, community speed watch volunteers and special constables will be out and about in local communities taking part in a mixture of enforcement and educational initiatives.

Supt Steph Brighton, West Mercia Police comments: “Supporting this national operation with local activities and increased enforcement is an important way of raising the issue and highlighting the dangers of speeding. The majority of drivers and riders use the road responsibly, however there are many families that unfortunately know far too well the devastating consequences that speeding and collisions can lead to and many local residents whose quality of life is affected by a minority of people speeding through their community. Speed limits are there for a reason; to protect all road users and it is our job the enforce these. Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding, the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It’s a sad fact that too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads. I am committed to changing this, with road safety at the heart of my Safer West Mercia Plan.

“I welcome West Mercia Police’s work to tackle speeding, not only during October’s national campaign but all year round, by educating drivers of the harm they can cause, raising awareness to change attitudes and enforcing the law when necessary.”

The PCC’s £150,000 Road Safety Fund is currently open for communities and partners across the three counties to apply for funding to address local road safety concerns. The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 3 November – www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/roadsafetyfund