WILTSHIRE Police are taking action against speeding as part of a national campaign led by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).
Excess speed is one of the fatal four factors that increase the risk of road users being significantly injured or killed if involved in a road traffic collision.
The other fatal four offences include drink-driving, driving whilst using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.
Exceeding the speed limit makes it harder for a vehicle to stop safely and reduces the driver’s reaction time.
Inspector Mark Freeman, from the Road Policing Team, said, “We know that speeding is one of the causations of fatal and serious injury collisions. Nationally around 1,700 people are killed on the nation’s roads each year, and here in Wiltshire that figure is around 30 people per year.
“Across Wiltshire we have a mixture of rural and busy road networks. The specified speed limits on these roads are to help safeguard drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, who all want to travel safely.
“In the last 18 months during the pandemic and in periods of lockdown we have seen examples of people doing dangerous speeds on our roads, thinking that the quieter times meant it was safe to exceed the speed limit.
“Please think before you speed. It is never acceptable, it will only save a matter of minutes, and it places the driver and others a risk.
“You may end up with a prosecution or the consequences could be much worse.”
During the campaign which ends on Sunday 8th August, officers will be speaking to drivers to highlight the risks of speeding, informing them of the consequences that driving above the speed limit can have and enforcing the law.
Inspector Freeman added, “I know that many members of the public share our concerns about speeding. These can be reported. If you witness speeding taking place and it is ongoing call 999, but only if it is safe to do so.
“You can also report online. Not all these reports will end in a conviction, but it does help us to build a picture of the activity on our roads and identify those vehicles regularly disregarding the speed limits.”
Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, Kieran Kilgallen said, “Great strides have been made to improve the way roads in Wiltshire are policed.
“This has included funding a new traffic enforcement officer and camera equipment whilst ensuring that road safety is prioritised in the current police and crime plan and working with partners to ensure a joined-up approach.
“Enforcement is a small part of tackling road safety – education and engagement with our communities is right at the centre of what we are doing. We know that the majority of motorists are driving safely and responsibly, but feedback from the public has told us that this is something they are concerned about and proactive work like this provides reassurance for our communities and a deterrent to those who may be tempted to drive dangerously.”
Motorists caught speeding will face a fine, points on their licence or even court action.
To report urgent crime call 999, for everything else start online www.wiltshire.police.uk/.
