Commissioner makes road safety a priority

More than 280 people were seriously injured on Cheshire’s roads in 2020. That’s more than five people per week. 29 people sadly lost their lives.

August is National Road Victim Month, and Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer wants to share his vision for making Cheshire’s roads safer.

John Dwyer said: “Many of you have written to me expressing your concerns about speeding or reckless driving in your communities, I too, share these concerns. As such I’m tasking the Constabulary to gather intelligence in these areas and step up their enforcement activity.

“Although the number of people killed or seriously injured on Cheshire’s roads has thankfully reduced over the past few years, the level is still too high and there is more we can do to reduce harm and promote safer driving.”

August was designated National Road Victim Month following the death of Princess Diana on 31^st August 1997. It also commemorates the death of Bridget Driscoll who was the first person to have been killed by a motor vehicle in 1896.

Road traffic investigations demonstrate that the majority of collisions could be avoided and that in serious and fatal collisions there are five contributory factors known as the ‘Fatal Five’.

The ‘Fatal Five’ are:

• Careless driving
• Drink/Drug driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Distracted – using a mobile phone whilst driving
• Speeding

With the easing of lockdown restrictions, Cheshire Constabulary launched their Share the Road campaign encouraging everyone to be considerate when travelling.

John Dwyer added: “Collisions involving injury or loss of life are clustered in urban areas, but there is a significant number of incidents on rural roads.

“Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly at risk, with incidents involving both road users on the rise. With the government introducing its Active Travel Agenda to promote increased walking and cycling, incidents have the potential to increase further.

“We need to protect those who are vulnerable by working with partners to educate motorists on how to use roads safely, alongside carrying out enforcement against road users who put themselves or others in danger.

“I will also continue to play an active role in the Cheshire Road Safety Group (CRSG) to ensure all the road safety awareness activity delivered across Cheshire is coordinated and delivers the same objectives. Stopping more deaths occurring as a result of something unnecessary and totally avoidable is a key priority.”