We can all drive down road accidents

Volunteers are helping to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads, says Devon and Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

THE evenings are lighter, the temperatures are warming and as the mercury rises so does the number of visitors to our beautiful part of England.

The RAC estimated that the Easter weekend would be busier than ever on the country’s roads, with more than 25 million leisure trips made over the four-day weekend.

Tourism still makes up for a significant section of Devon and Cornwall’s economy, so while others complain about busier beaches and visitor locations, I welcome the fact that people come here, supporting our businesses and enjoying our inspiring scenery.

Unfortunately the months from April to October also see a rise in serious and fatal road traffic incidents. While it might be tempting to blame holidaymakers for this rise, the truth is that the vast majority of these incidents involve local people.

While Devon and Cornwall have among the lowest recorded crime rates in the country, we have far too many road casualties, with 660 people killed or seriously injured in the year to June 2021. Tragically recent weeks have seen incidents claim the lives of several Devon and Cornwall residents.

My determination to do something about this led to the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership being established. Members from air ambulance trusts to local authorities have agreed that they will not accept that a single fatality or serious injury on our roads is acceptable and set the ambitious target of achieving zero road casualties by 2040.

On Thursday we heard that we are on track to achieve this aim, with fewer deaths and serious injuries year on year since 2018. Obviously the Covid-19 pandemic has played a part, with fewer cars on our roads than usual. This year, with no Covid restrictions, will determine whether we stay remain on course.

Enforcement is part of the solution and there has to be more of it. Funding from previous years’ police precepts has helped set up a No Excuse roads policing team who take a zerotolerance approach to unsafe driving and vehicles, and Operation Snap, a solution which allows people to supply dashcam footage of dangerous driving to the force in a way which eases the path to prosecution, has seen a huge rise in submissions since it went active.

Phenomenal numbers of drivers are also receiving speeding tickets through Devon and Cornwall’s network of fixed and mobile cameras. Op Snap and these notices of intended prosecutions result in more drivers attending awareness courses, enhancing their understanding of the risks involved in dangerous driving and speeding.

We can all play a part in achieving a goal that will reduce immeasurable pain and distress (and I meet few people who don’t know anyone who has not experienced a serious road traffic collision). We can drive less, we can take more care, we can pledge not to drive when we are tired or distracted.

Of course, some choose to do much more for their community. On Thursday dozens of road safety volunteers came together at Exeter’s Sandy Park for the county’s Community Speedwatch co-ordinator event. Hosted by the Superintendent in charge of roads policing, the event outlined the work done by the force to enforce vehicle standards and speeding restrictions, and awards were given to co-ordinators who had organised more than 100 volunteer sessions.

Some drivers might be under the impression that these speedwatch groups are without powers but this is not the case. Volunteers around Devon and Cornwall are now supplying the force with valuable information about persistent speeders and crucially these sessions are often supported by roads policing officers who are happy to take robust action when laws are broken.

Information from one volunteer group has been used to support a proposal for average speed cameras in the Cornish village of Perranarworthal. The so-called Falmouth Gateway on the A39 has been the location of several serious incidents over the years. When installed these cameras will have a really positive effect on the village, making it a safer and more pleasant place to live and visit.

Community Speedwatch is a great example of the police force working in partnership with the communities it serves. If you would like more information, or to set up or join a speedwatch group visit www.devoncornwall.police.uk/advice/on-theroad/speed-watch.

If you have video footage of someone breaking road safety laws you can submit it to the Operation Snap online at https://operationsnap.devon-cornwall.police.uk.

We can take more care, we can pledge not to drive when we are tired or distracted