Police call for drivers to take foot off the gas as speeding cases rise
POLICE are urging drivers to reduce their speed as larger numbers of cars take to the roads following the easing of the coronavirus lockdown.
Officers say that, as restrictions on movements are eased, people are heading back onto the roads for the first time in many weeks and speeds on the relatively empty roads are rising – with some recording extremely high speeds of well over 100mph.
Derbyshire Roads Policing
Unit, which travel the length and breadth of the county, is stepping up a campaign which will include a fortnight of visible speed enforcement, that started on Monday.
Chief Inspector Jim Thompson, who leads the roads policing team, said: “Speeding is one of the leading causes of serious and fatal collision in the UK.
“On a far too regular basis officers from our force have to deliver the news no family wants to hear – that their friend or member of their family is never coming home.
“Speeding, put simply, is a choice. Our request to you is to make the right one.
“Those who decide to break the speed limit are putting not only themselves but every other road user in danger.
“Over recent weeks we have seen an explosion in the use of bicycles and more people out walking in our towns and villages – as well as the nearby countryside.
“Many of those out and about are families with young children and we know from many years of road safety advice that the chances of surviving a collision at 30mph are dramatically better than the same collision at 40mph.
“My request, and the request of every single member of the force, is to watch your speed. Drive to the conditions on that particular day and ensure that you are aware of those around you.
“The vast majority of those who are involved in collisions never think it will happen to them but time and time again we see lives wrecked because of one wrong choice – don’t regret a decision that you could so easily have been avoided.”
The force’s campaign began with messages being spread across social media, but it is being stepped up this week and officers will be patrolling dangerous stretches of roads and roads on which speeding is known to be an issue.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Hardyal Dhindsa said: “During my consultation across the county over the last four years, it became clear that speeding was the top concern for Derbyshire residents. I know that it seriously impacts on the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.
“I listened carefully to the views of residents and funded enforcement action in areas experiencing the worst problems.
“We evaluated this in terms of operational work and agreed to consider future options which aim to tackle speeding in the longterm.
“Supporting communities which want to reduce speeding on their roads is a top priority for me and I have been working closely with the chief constable to expand the Community Speedwatch programme to a wider area.
“This will allow local people to monitor speeding trends in their area and those caught flouting the speed limits can be re-educated to help improve safety longer term.
“The speeding initiatives we have supported have been welcomed by our residents, and they send a clear message that speeding is not acceptable in Derbyshire.”