Shining the ‘spotlight’ on roads policing

Last year 56 people were killed and 486 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 the Police and Crime Commissioner’s West Mercia 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: “Too many people are being killed or seriously injured on our roads, and much of this harm is entirely preventable. I hear regularly from victims and families whose lives have been changed forever, and that’s why I’m clear that the three Es of road safety - enforcement, education and engineering - must drive the change our communities expect.

I will continue to support West Mercia Police with the resources they need to enforce the law and bring offenders to justice, while backing efforts to educate motorists about the risks and the simple steps that save lives. I will also keep working closely with local authorities to ensure our road network is designed with safety at its core. Together, we can make a real difference.”