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PCC for Leicestershire & Rutland

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Rupert Matthews
PCC for Leicestershire & Rutland

Tackling Speeding and Road Safety

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In 2022, a total of 28 people were killed on the roads of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. That is 28 too many! The number is down from 38 in 2011, but we need to work together to push the number down even further.

Rather worryingly, the number of people seriously injured per year has not declined in the past ten years, but remains at around 280. 

The causes of road accidents are varied, but some consistent themes can be seen. Younger drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers - and the prime cause of an accident for younger drivers was careless or reckless behaviour, while for older drivers it was failing to look properly before manoeuvering. In December 2022 a total of 170 people were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol - the highest ever Christmas drink-driving figure. 

Of course, it is not just motorists who use our roads. The number of cyclists involved in an accident fell from 170 in 2012 to 80 last year. Pedestrian injuries have similarly fallen from 180 to 90. Welcome trends, but more needs to be done. 

Escooters have become a recent issue. It is currently illegal to use them in public without insurance and without wearing a crash helmet. However, catching escooter users is not always easy and case law does not encourage stiff penalties. Part of the problem is that the vehicles have only recently arrived in numbers so there is no real data about how dangerous they are. 

Many of the factors affecting road safety are beyond my control as PCC. The design of road junctions, location of street lights and phasing of traffic lights are all controlled by others. However, I am determined to play a full role in making roads safer for all users as part of my drive to make our streets safer again. 

  • Working with the Road Safety Partnership. This body covers Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and is a joint operation by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, National Highways and Leicestershire Police. We have recently introduced new, high-tech mobile speed vans and identified a number of new locations where they can be deployed. 
  • Educating Road Users. I will continue to push forward schemes to give road safety education to all road users, providing subsidised roadcraft lessons where appropriate. 
  • Enforcement. I will ensure that the police continue to enforce speed limits and other rules of the road, prosecuting offenders when possible. 
  • Community Speed Watch. This programme allows parish councils and other community groups to monitor the speeds of traffic in their local area and to deploy enforcement action short of prosecution for offenders. 
  • Enforce the law on e-scooters. The law is not always clear in all circumstances, but I will support police action to prosecute the worst offenders riding e-scooters or illegal e-bikes.
  • Work with partners. Many aspects of road safety are in the hands of others. I will work constructively with councils, Highways England and others to make our roads as safe as possible. 

News

kegworth

Follow up Action on Car Cruises

Tuesday, 5 March, 2024
  In recent weeks, I have been receiving an increasing number of complaints from the public about dangerous "Car Cruises" on main roads around the two counties. These events see dozens or even hundreds of cars suddenly congregate on a main road to race each other at illegally high speeds.

Tackling dangerous road racing

Tuesday, 6 February, 2024
  Dangerous road racing by irresponsible drivers is illegal, a nuisance and a blight on too many of our communities. In this video, shot overlooking the A6 at Great Glen, scene of a recent incident, I explain what the police are doing to tackle the problem and how you can help.
claybrooke magna

Claybrooke Magna - speeding traffic update

Monday, 29 January, 2024
At the beginning of the month I visited the Claybrooke Magna area with regards to speeding., particularly on High Cross Road as it enters the village from the west.  Following on from my visit the Road Safety team will check if they have previously monitored speed data for Claybrook Magna.
drivecarefully

PCC announces plans to subsidise life-saving safety course to protect young drivers

Saturday, 30 September, 2023
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has announced the launch of a pre-test safety course for young drivers to help reduce fatalities and serious casualties on the region's roads. As part of his commitment to tackle road safety, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC has teamed up w
escootersting

How I am tackling e-scooters

Sunday, 24 September, 2023
I get more complaints about e-scooters than almost anything else.

Road Safety on the A47 at Earl Shilton

Thursday, 21 September, 2023
The A47 that bypasses Earl Shilton is already a fast road, but too many drivers put their foot down and go way too fast, breaking the speed limit. What is being done about it? Watch the video to find out. 

Road safety in Barwell

Thursday, 21 September, 2023
There is good news for road safety in Barwell. Find out more in the video.  

Dealing with speeding traffic in Newtown Linford

Thursday, 21 September, 2023
Traffic speeding through Newtown Linford has been a problem for a long time. Now a new innovation is going to help curb the problem. Find out more in the video. 

Tackling speeding traffic in Cossington.

Thursday, 21 September, 2023
There is some good news for the residents of Cossington worried about dangerously fast traffic racing through the village. Find out why in the video. 
kegworth

PCC calls urgent meeting to tackle ‘boy racers' in Kegworth

Thursday, 21 September, 2023
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner has received several complaints from the public over vehicles racing each other at high speeds along the A453 and surrounding areas.  In addition, it has been reported that the same individuals also cause nuisance in the v
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ConservativesPromoted and published by Adrian Thompson on behalf of Rupert Matthews, both of LCCA, 18 Pinfold Gate, Loughborough LE11 1BE
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