Blackspots get extra attention

A PAN-EUROPEAN project highlighting traffic safety has seen police officers mounting extra patrols on high risk roads.

As part of the European Day Without A Road Death campaign (EDWARD), police focused on so-called ‘red routes’ in the borough.

Including the A5, A444 and A42, these thoroughfares are notorious for their high casualty rates.

Leicestershire Police took part in the regional initiative along with colleagues from Nottingham- shire, Lincolnshire Northamptonshire.

Project EDWARD was devised by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) to draw attention to the 70 deaths occurring every day on the roads of Europe.

Leicestershire’s Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, the lead for roads policing within East Midlands Operational Support Services, said: “We work all year round to promote road safety through enforcement, education, training and publicity, however, we and all have a responsibility to be vigilant and share the road space responsibly, acting within the law and behaving in a co-operative manner.

“We’d like all road users to take time to reflect on their behaviour and sign the pledge to make a longterm commitment to making our roads safer.”

The aim of EDWARD is to encourage all road users - motorists, cyclists and pedestrians - to reflect on their behaviour and attitude and how that may put them and others at risk.