Drivers told to stay safe as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough roadworks lift for Christmas
Drivers planning to use our roads have been given a safety warning
Last updated 22nd Dec 2023
Drivers seeing loved ones in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough this Christmas are being told to be as safe as possible.
National Highways are lifting 98 per cent of motorways and major A-roads, including on the A1 from A47 Wansford to Stibbington near Peterborough, for those travelling to see loved ones or making other journeys for Christmas.
Most of the roadworks will be lifted until Tuesday, January 2.
But that has sparked safety warnings for drivers to not be tempted into taking any risks while on the road.
PC Nick Southern is a casualty reduction officer at Cambridgeshire Police:
"There's a lot of potholes and they will get worse as the weather conditions get worse, and it does generally result in more collisions," he said.
"The fact we're getting less people killed or seriously injured (on our roads) I do find we are seeing a slight reduction; our message is very clear and I think that is having a positive impact."
"Some people might be encouraged to drink"
One of the key issues police want to address over the Christmas-New Year period is drink driving.
There's been a focus on the problem as part of Cambridgeshire Police's crackdown on drink and drug driving this month.
Mr Southern predicts not everyone will follow safety advice around alcohol and drugs, but it hopes the majority will.
"In the build-up to the festive period, more people are likely to be going out and enjoying themselves, some people might be encouraged to drink and drive so it's something we're trying to discourage," he said.
"Our message is clear; don't drink and drive, not even a small amount, nothing because alcohol affects us in very different ways."