Police have revealed today that 47 people have been killed on roads in Notts over the last three years due to drivers and riders making ‘the wrong choices’.
The stark figures have been revealed by Nottinghamshire Police as they continue to try and reduce the number of so-called ‘fatal four’ collisions.
The ‘fatal four’ driving offences/contributory factors which Nottinghamshire officers are focused on preventing and reducing all year round are speeding, drink or drug driving, using a mobile phone whilst driving and not wearing a seatbelt
Of the 411 people killed in total on Nottinghamshire’s roads over the last three years, 44 percent of these collisions (21 deaths) were due to speeding. Drink or drug driving led to 18 deaths and six people were killed by not wearing a seatbelt. Two people lost their lives as a result of a driver using a mobile device while behind the wheel.
Enforcing the law around these ‘fatal four’ offences, as well as other traffic-related offences, takes place across the Nottinghamshire Police force area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
During last month alone, Nottinghamshire roads policing officers issued 300 traffic offence reports (TORs) to offending drivers.
Detective Inspector Kate Savage, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Investigation Unit and Roads Policing Unit, said: “Whilst it’s shocking that we’ve seen so many deaths and serious injuries caused by these ‘fatal four’ offences, statistics alone can never paint a true picture of the utter devastation caused to those who have lost loved ones and suffered lifelong injuries in these collisions.
“We are very clear that when anyone gets behind the wheel it is their responsibility to make sure they have done everything they can to ensure their safety and that of others.
“This includes making sure you and your passengers are wearing a seatbelt, children are seated safely and securely, and keeping to speed limits.
“The majority of drivers use the roads respectfully and adhere to the law, but it is worrying that we still have some drivers across our area who are putting themselves and other road users at risk by their reckless driving behaviour.
“Enforcing the law across our roads and educating people about the consequences of unsafe driving is a year-round commitment for the force and we continue to urge all road users to think carefully about their driving behaviour and remind them of their responsibilities when they go out in their vehicles.
“The laws are there to save lives and our activity to crackdown on reckless and dangerous driving and to improve road safety will continue throughout Nottinghamshire.”
Police are urging people to help reduce collisions and casualties in Nottinghamshire and make our roads even safer by reporting instances of unsafe driving by calling 101.
In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
