Police launch speed enforcement campaign as lockdown eases
The National Police Chief’s Council has launch a new speed awareness campaign as riding restrictions ease
THE National Police Chief’s Council has launched a speeding motorist clampdown as the lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
The temptation to make the most of the good weather and quiet roads is proving too much for some to resist, as the police have seen a spike in speeding on the UK’s roads. With the lockdown lasting since March until last week, many riders and drivers where itching to get back out and about to make the most of the good weather.
The new operation is a two-phase initiative, with phase one beginning on Monday (18th May). Forces will be sharing messages across social media and other platforms encouraging the public to slow down and save lives, in addition to normal speed enforcement activity.
Phase two from the 25th May will see forces step up visible speed enforcement activity for the following two weeks, focussing on roads and areas where speeding is known to be an issue or there is a history of serious collisions.
Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, Roads Policing Lead for NPCC, said:
“With the gradual move out of lockdown and with traffic volumes starting to increase, this national operation is an important way of highlighting the dangers of speeding, particularly when so many people have not been out on the roads for quite some time.
“Unsurprisingly, the lockdown saw very quiet roads. Many forces reported increased speeding in a general sense and some forces reported instances of very excessive speeding. It is also of particular note that we have seen an increase in pedal cyclists at this time, many of whom may be unfamiliar with busier roads. Pedestrians and runners have also got used to empty roads.
“Put this together with better weather, lighter evenings, motorcyclists itching to ride out across our country roads and you have the concerning combination of factors for a significant increase in people being killed or seriously injured. I am determined for this not to be the case.”
So, while the fine weather and quiet roads are enticing for us all, please don’t forget to ride with consideration for others.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
