Extra policing cuts road deaths
SERIOUS road collisions on Suffolk's roads have plummeted 36per cent so far this year, latest figures show.Meanwhile, the number of fatalities is already significantly lower than last year - although there is still more than a month to go.
SERIOUS road collisions on Suffolk's roads have plummeted 36per cent so far this year, latest figures show.
Meanwhile, the number of fatalities is already significantly lower than last year - although there is still more than a month to go.
Road safety campaigners say they are encouraged by the drop but say there is no room for complacency.
Extra police enforcement is planned next month for those who continue to flout the laws and officers say they will continue to drive home the road safety message.
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Figures revealed by Suffolk Constabulary show there were 147 serious injury collisions on the county's roads at the end of September compared to 218 during the same period last year.
The death toll on Suffolk's roads currently stands at 30 from 28 collisions compared to 47 from 40 separate collisions during 2006.
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Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith, from Suffolk Constabulary's roads policing and support department, said: “There has been a notable decrease in the number of serious collisions on Suffolk's roads. We've also had fewer fatalities.
“I would like to say it's been a combination of a lot of things. Firstly, the support we are getting from the local media to get the message across to drivers on Suffolk's roads about the importance of wearing seatbelts, not using mobile phones, keeping to speed limits and not drinking and driving.
“Also, this year we have made it (road safety) part and parcel of the force's control strategy. It's now every officer's responsibly to deal with such offences. Because of that, I have seen an increase in enforcement across the county.
“Finally, Suffolk Road Safe is a partnership of many agencies which is working very hard to get that road safety message across and is working with vulnerable road users.
“This shows there is a lot of effort going into putting road safety and casualty reduction at the forefront of people's minds.
Mr Barnes-Smith added: “I would like to say that's changing driver behaviour which is having an effect on collisions in the county. But there is a health warning. We cannot be complacent.
“The figures are coming down. We still have to work equally hard to maintain the downward trend.”
