The Fatal Four and the impact on collisions

Last year 56 people were killed and 516 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. Common causation factors listed in these collisions include:

• Speeding or inappropriate speed
• Distractions, such as mobile phone
• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
• Not wearing a seatbelt.

Keeping those who use our roads safe is a 24/7, year-round priority for us across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, with road safety sitting at the heart of Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion’s Safer Communities Plan.

This month we will be supporting Operation Spotlight, a national operation to highlight and raise awareness of the work roads policing officers, local policing teams and communities do every day to tackle these issues to try and reduce the number that are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Superintendent Stuart Bill, West Mercia Police said: “Everyone understands the law around seatbelts, drink/drug driving and mobile phones and the importance of adhering to the speed limits. The majority of road users use the roads respectfully and adhere to this but it is concerning that there are still a number of drivers and riders across our force area who don’t. This is why we continue to target those road users who chose to break the law to help make our roads safer for all.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “One life lost on our roads is simply one too many. The impact of that loss is devastating, as I often hear from bereaved families who detail the heartbreaking consequences of road traffic collisions. That’s why it’s vital that we, as a society, come together to create change. It’s on all of us to follow the law and drive safely - there are repercussions when we don’t, ranging from enforcement of the law to life-changing harm.”