POLICE across Teignbridge and the rest of Devon will be stepping up education and enforcement of the ‘fatal five’ with a focus on speed as part of a National Police Chiefs’ Council operation.

With the gradual relaxing of lockdown restrictions, police forces throughout the UK are reminding motorists of the importance of travelling safely and within the speed limit, and will be carrying out education and enforcement measures to target those not sticking to the rules.

Sites receiving attention from officers will either focus on locations where collisions have occurred in the past, or areas highlighted to the force that are of concern to local residents.

While the national campaign is focusing on excess speed, this is just one of the ‘fatal five’ which also includes drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, being distracted at the wheel and careless and inconsiderate behaviour. Officers will be engaging with road users and enforcing where appropriate on all road safety areas to encourage everyone to stay safe.

This operation is deliberately timed as travel restrictions start to ease, to keep people safe as the volume of traffic increases.

Chief Inspector Steve Lenney, head of roads policing across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, said: ‘Over the past two months we’ve seen a significant reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads as a result of lockdown measures reducing the number of vehicles travelling.

‘However, we have seen examples where some drivers have used the lack of traffic to drive in an unsafe way, or travel at significantly excessive speeds, which can often result in tragedy.

‘As the country begins to move out of lockdown and we’re beginning to see more road users on our network, we’re stepping up our education and enforcement to remind drivers of their responsibilities.

‘We recognise that some drivers may have not got behind the wheel in several weeks so alongside our enforcement activities, we will also be educating road users on vehicle safety as well as the effects of excess speed.”

During 2018, figures show that 1,624 people sadly lost their lives on roads in England and Wales, with 58% of deaths occurring on rural roads. A further 25,000 people were seriously injured in collisions.

At 30mph, vehicles are travelling at 44 feet or about three car lengths each second.  Even in good conditions, the difference in stopping distance between 30 mph and 35 mph is an extra 21 feet or 6.4 metres, more than two car lengths, this could make all the difference in avoiding a collision. The distance required to stop safely significantly increases at higher speed which could cause greater injury to pedestrians and cyclists involved in collisions.

Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is also the national lead for the road safety for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.

She said: ‘Although there has been a dramatic reduction in traffic levels in England and Wales since the lockdown started I remain very concerned about the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.

Area manager Darren Peters, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘Every serious road traffic collision has long-lasting consequences for those involved and their families.

‘We would urge motorists to follow the advice and take extra care, especially if you have not driven for some time.’

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: ‘If you slow down, drive safely and take extra care you can protect the NHS and save lives.’