Speed patrols stepped up to catch drivers
Drivers are being warned there'll be more police on roads than usual
Last updated 17th Oct 2022
Last year 47 people were killed and 647 seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads and officers are trying to reduce that through a new road safety operation.
Police officers, Police staff, Safety Camera Units, Speed Detection Officers and Community Speedwatch volunteers will be out in force as part of a national policing campaign to tackle speeding motorists.
The force say 'in an effort to reduce fatal and serious collisions, the teams will focus on main arterial routes throughout the two counties, as well as in local communities where issues have been identified'.
They warn: "One such location is Kerrier Way in Camborne where recent data has shown some drivers travelling at more 65mph on a 30mph road' "
Superintendent Adrian Leisk, strategic roads policing lead and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement group, said: “Speed is major contributory factor in fatal and serious road collisions. Driving or riding too fast gives you less time to react and greatly increases the risk of you receiving serious injuries.
“We have a fantastic team of officers, staff and volunteers who help us monitor speeding in Devon and Cornwall – but this month they are joining forces and increasing their capacity to catch people who think they can get away with speeding.
“It’s not just speed camera vans and officers with speed guns – our Community Speedwatch teams will also be joined by specialist Speed Detection Officers who are able to enforce speed limits and issue Notices of Intended Prosecution.”
Supt Leisk stressed that the operation was not about 'targeting motorists'.
He said: “This is about preventing death and serious injury on our roads. Last year 47 people were killed and 647 seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads.
“These aren’t just numbers, these are tragedies. They are people’s loved ones, family members and friends.
“As a member of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, our collective aim is to halve all fatal and serious collisions in Devon and Cornwall by 2030 – and eventually to eradicate them completely.
“We know the vast majority of motorists are good drivers who stick to the rules and drive at a safe speed. This operation is targeting the minority of people who do not adhere to the rules and, in doing so, put theirs and other people’s lives at risk.”