Wiltshire PCC: Road safety is key priority
It's in response to a TV documentary
Last updated 19th Jan 2022
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says keeping people safe on Wiltshire’s roads is a complex issue and one which the force cannot tackle with fixed speed cameras or officer numbers alone.
BBC Panorama documentary ' Britain’s Killer Roads' which aired on Monday (17th January) suggested a lack roads policing officers and fewer fixed speed cameras were contributing to an epidemic of road incidents across the country, including deaths.
But Philip Wilkinson said both he and the force took the issue of safer roads extremely seriously and this was reflected by residents, surveyed on Wiltshire Police’s priorities, who identified safer roads and speeding as one of their highest priorities.
“Our communities want speeding drivers targeted and road safety to be a focus for Wiltshire Police both now, and in the future, and this will be reflected in our new police and crime plan.
“Through all of my consultations, both on the doorstep and various boards and council meetings, residents have made it clear how strongly they feel about this.
“What we need is intelligence-led targeting of key speeding hotspots, increased visibility of roads policing officers to provide a deterrent to potential speeding drivers and increased resourcing in those areas which help that visibility. This is exactly what our new police and crime plan will deliver, and Wiltshire Police have already started working on.
“Preventing an accident from happening is key and we will not wait for another family to grieve a loved one lost to a collision involving speed to take action.”
Wiltshire's fixed speed cameras were turned off in 2009 - a decision made by the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership.
The force issued more than 1,300 fixed penalty notices for speeding last year, compared to 989 in 2016.
They also put nearly 600 speeding cases before court, compared to 174 five years ago.
In the county, 115 Community Speed Watch teams, made up of volunteers, work with a dedicated Community Enforcement Officer to collect intelligence and develop a targeted enforcement approach across those communities where there are speeding issues.
The PCC has also committed investment for two additional Community Enforcement Officers, alongside two further mobile cameras.
Mr Wilkinson added:
“We need to ensure safer roads for all - where communities can carry on with their lives with the peace of mind of fewer speeding drivers - and Wiltshire Police can ensure strategic enforcement is used to target those hotspots where the intelligence has told us there is an issue.
“Put simply, if you’re an irresponsible driver and continually break speed limits, you will be caught and action taken.”
Further investment in Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit is also part of budget and precept proposals for 2022/ 23, including more resources and a proposed increase in the number of traffic cars.