Action called for on drivers using roads as race track
CONCERNS are mounting that lives are being put at risk by speeding traffic using the quieter roads as a “racetrack”.
One borough councillor has written to police chiefs asking why more enforcement action isn’t being taken - although officers have already laid out plans for a crackdown.
In an open letter to Inspector Dave Clark this week, Whitworth councillor Alan Neal said the “totally unacceptable behaviour” by motorists was “disgraceful”.
Laying the blame at the door of drivers of high performance vehicles, he said: “Following a number of complaints from a number of local residents, all of whom have expressed their concerns over speeding [sic] traffic across the whole of Rossendale and Whitworth, in every single complaint the drivers are nearly all driving either VW, Audis or BMW.
“I’m just wondering why we are still not seeing greater enforcement action being taken.”
Coun Neal’s letter comes as speeding continues to be a serious issue in the Rochdale area during lockdown, with drivers caught travelling at speeds as high as 115mph on a 40mph road and 129mph on the M62 in recent weeks.
In April, Greater Manchester Police’s Pennine Neighbourhood team recorded almost 60 incidents of anti-social driving in a single night in the Milnrow and Newhey area.
In a statement responding to the letter, Lancashire Police said: “With less traffic on the roads we have unfortunately seen an increase in vehicles travelling above the speed limit in the last few weeks.
“We will focus on high profile enforcement and education to road users and will target the main causes of road accidents – speed, driver impairment through drink or drugs, use of mobile phones, dangerous and careless driving. We are stepping up patrols in key hotspot areas in a bid to crack down on these individuals flouting the rules of the road, and help to protect vital emergency services at this time.”
Chief Inspector Sue Bushell, of Lancashire Police’s Tac Ops Dept, said: “Sadly, we have seen an increase in some people driving at excessive speeds potentially putting themselves and others at risk. No matter how quiet the roads are the speed limit still applies.
“In this unprecedented health emergency, keeping the pressure off our emergency services is so important whilst they keep the public safe and well. If someone is speeding and they have a collision, this will take up vital resources including NHS, fire and the police.
“We will work tirelessly to target those who think they can use the roads as their own personal racetrack.
“We are acting on concerns our communities have raise and I would encourage people to continue to report issues or concerns from their local area so we can take action.”