Action launched to crack down on dangerous drivers in West Midlands

It's after a spate of fatal crashes on the region's roads

Author: Ella StirlingPublished 7th Aug 2023
Last updated 7th Aug 2023

A crackdown on dangerous and reckless driving got underway in Birmingham today, (Monday) following a spate of serious incidents on the region’s roads.

Operations have been launched as part of a coordinated response by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Police (WMP), Birmingham City Council, and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner to recent incidents that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries.

Targeted enforcement is being carried out by police at known hot spots in the city as part of Operation Triton.

A high-profile awareness campaign has also been launched today on billboards and social media across the wider West Midlands, featuring hard-hitting messages warning of the tragic consequences of reckless behaviour behind the wheel.

Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “People being tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads is unacceptable.

“That’s why I am holding West Midlands Police to account, to prevent, tackle and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on our roads.

“The force has agreed to crackdown on rule breakers on our roads, set up two new police teams to bring dangerous drivers to justice and make it easier for you to report dangerous driving. Keeping people safe on our roads must remain a top priority.”

Superintendent Gareth Mason, head of roads policing in the West Midlands, added: “Road safety is a key issue for WMP and we continue to carry out daily activity, but we cannot do this work alone which is why we are working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, TfWM, and local groups.

“We know that by working together with our partners and local communities we can make significant progress in creating safer roads.

“We continue to urge all motorists to prioritise road safety, obey speed limits and remain vigilant while driving. Your actions can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and protecting lives.”

As part of the coordinated crackdown, police have pledged an increase in around-the-clock, intelligence-led and hot spot enforcement operations to crackdown on anti-social driving and speeding, and to make it even easier for local people to report and provide evidence of dangerous behaviour on the roads.

As a further deterrent to speeding, partners will work together to lower speed limits, increase the number of average speed cameras on the region’s most dangerous roads, and use Safer Streets 5 funding to tackle anti-social driving.

Plans for a segregated cycle lane on the A45 in Birmingham will also be accelerated with the aim of having spades in the ground for the first phase by this winter.

All of these immediate actions will be supported by longer-term plans to develop and deliver schemes which support active travel and improve the safety of vulnerable road users.

In September, TfWM will launch a revised Road Safety Strategy with the goal of a 50 per cent reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on West Midlands roads by the end of 2030 and the ultimate target of Vision Zero for no deaths.

This will align with Birmingham City Council’s own road safety strategy which will be published later this year.

Hear all the latest news from across the West Midlands on the hour, every hour, on 103.1 and 97.2FM (Wolverhampton, Black Country and Shropshire), 96.4FM (Birmingham), 97 and 102.9FM (Coventry and Warwickshire), 97.6FM, 102.8FM and 96.7FM (Herefordshire and Worcestershire), DAB, at freeradio.co.uk, and on the Free Radio app.