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Please slow down and #TakeExtraCare

Date
Fri, 03 Apr 2020
Article

Safer Road Humber would like to thank all drivers sticking to the speed limit and driving sensibly during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, whilst the amount of traffic has decreased, monitoring at a number of our sites has shown that speeds are increasing.

Over the last few weeks, Safer Roads Humber has been concentrating on enforcement at high-risk sites and have so far detected a motorist driving at 70mph in the 30mph section of Beverley Road, Hull. Another has been detected driving at 80mph along the 40mph limit on Roger Millward Way, Hull.

We have also detected a number of drivers in excess of 100mph on the motorways, with top speeds of 130mph and 114mph - all of which is totally unacceptable.

Safer Roads Humber is particularly concerned about the A63 and A15, where average speeds are now around 80mph - 10mph over the 70mph national speed limit.

The Partnership makes no apology for enforcing the speed limit at the present time, as this is the only way that some motorists will slow down.

Ruth Gore, spokesperson for Safer Roads Humber, said: "We appreciate that speed enforcement may not seem to be an essential service at the current time, however it is now more important than ever to ensure that motorists drive safely and appropriately within the speed limit at all times.

"Whilst the roads are emptier, it may be tempting for drivers to put their foot down, however an increase in speed reduces reaction times if anything should happen, and the severity of injury increases.

"The emergency services are under intense pressure at the moment, and if an injury crash occurs then the ambulance services, as well as the police and fire service, will have to attend. Anyone injured would be taken to hospital, taking health care staff away from other patients with possibly greater needs."

On average, there are 274 people injured in road crashes in the Humber region each month. The majority of these (230) result in slight injuries, but 44 people are seriously injured or killed.

The Partnership is concerned that, whilst the number of crashes may decrease due to the reduction in traffic at the present time, the increase in speeds observed may result in more serious injuries. Simply put, the faster a driver goes, the harder the hit should a crash occur.

It is estimated that each serious casualty costs society £220,000, which includes the cost of medical and emergency services, police investigation costs, along with insurance and economic costs.

The Partnership is urging all drivers to slow down and concentrate on the road ahead. Please do not get distracted by mobile phones or other electronic devices - we recommend drivers put them in the glove box whilst driving. Never drink or drug drive and please always wear a seat belt.

#TakeExtraCare

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