Road safety plans funds for projects

DERBYSHIRE’S police and crime commissioner has announced plans to increase investment in community projects aimed at making the county’s roads safer.

Angelique Foster has set out her approach to tackling the Fatal Four - speeding, drugs/alcohol, wearing of seatbelts and use of mobile phones – and improving road safety for all in her Police and Crime Plan.

The plan, due to be published in the forthcoming weeks, sets out a series of strategic policing priorities aimed at reducing crime and delivering the service and policing resources local people deserve.

Ms Foster has also announced her priorities for a grant fund in the new year to support groups trying to boost road safety.

Road safety features as one of six top strategic priorities for Derbyshire Constabulary, which include “a robust and efficiently-resourced roads policing unit, pro-active speed enforcement, a tough approach to dangerous driving, work to tackle the Fatal 4, safety campaigns, volunteer support and measures for vulnerable road users”.

Ms Foster said: “All of the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan reflect the views of Derby and Derbyshire residents.

“My job is to set policing priorities and hold Derbyshire Constabulary to account to deliver on those priorities. I will expect the Chief Constable to deliver improvements in the areas that matter most to our communities and residents.

“I will also support local communities to help improve safety. Road safety impacts all of us. People have told me they would like more support for Community Speedwatch groups and more resources to tackle speeding through villages and poor or dangerous driving.

“These issues can really affect everybody’s quality of life.

“I will be launching a new fund giving our communities more power and resources to take a proactive approach.

“Road Safety Week is a good reminder of the way communities can come together.