More than half of fatal or serious collisions on Gloucestershire’s roads are speed-related. In a bid to get motorists to kill their speed and save lives Gloucestershire Constabulary launches its speed awareness campaign this week.
A total of 64% of fatal or serious injury road traffic collisions in the county are speed-related and in the first half of the 2021 year, the Constabulary’s mobile enforcement cameras detected 15,356 speeding offences.
In response to community concerns the dedicated Camera Enforcement Team has added a further 50 sites for enforcement in 2021 to date, in addition to those already existing to tackle the speeding problem.
Just driving a few miles per hour above the speed limit can mean the difference between life and death. The faster someone drives, the less time they have to stop or react if something unexpected happens.
Speeding is one of the ‘fatal four’ causes of road deaths and injury in the county along with using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seat belt and drink or drug driving.
The campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of the dangers of speeding amongst motorists, the consequences that could happen if you choose to speed on the roads and to reduce the number of people who speed.
Officers will also be conducting roadside operations to detect speeding motorists and partner agencies including Gloucestershire County Council will be supporting the awareness week.
During the week the Constabulary will run an online social media campaign with facts and advice encouraging drivers to kill their speed.
The campaign lasts two weeks and launches on Monday 19 July and runs until Sunday 8 August.
Chief Inspector Al Barby said: “Speeding can have devastating consequences on the lives of many – the victim, the victim’s family, you and your family, the emergency services and people who witness it.
“There are no excuses for speeding and it is always a risk, no matter what your reasons for speeding are. You run the risk of penalties, fines and potentially a criminal record and imprisonment.
“Please be aware that we shall be out on the roads targeting those who put themselves and others at risk through speeding.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: “Speeding is one of the issues that people want to talk to me about the most when I am out and about, not least because it seems to have got worse during lockdown when the roads have generally been quieter.
“Motorists have a responsibility to treat other road users with respect and it is disappointing that despite all the evidence and warnings of the dangers involved so many drivers think it’s still ok to go over the limit, putting themselves and others at risk.”
Councillor Dave Norman, cabinet member responsible for road safety at Gloucestershire County Council said: “We know through feedback from the county’s communities that there is great concern about the negative impacts and very sadly sometimes fatal consequences of speeding on our roads.
“I would like to reassure people that we are listening and taking these concerns seriously, where necessary and appropriate we will take action.
“Most road users stick to the speed limit so what makes those that don’t think the law doesn’t apply to them?”
