Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner backs calls for 1000 new traffic officers
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is being urged to appoint more, amid fears that many drivers are "getting away" with motoring offences
Suffolk's Police and Crime Comissioner, Tim Passmore, is backing calls for more traffic officers to be deployed across the country.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is being urged to appoint 1,000 new roads police officers amid fears that many drivers are "getting away" with motoring offences.
The AA issued the plea after its analysis of Home Office figures found the number of traffic officers in England and Wales has fallen by 1,022 from 5,237 in 2016 to 4,215 in March this year.
A survey of its members conducted last month indicated 57% believe people can get away with careless driving due to a lack of police presence on the roads.
Many respondents also said other offences were going unpunished due to the reduction in the number of roads police officers, including using a handheld phone behind the wheel (44%), drug driving (42%), not wearing a seatbelt (46%) and using a dangerous vehicle (43%).
Tim Passmore said:" My understanding, roughly we have about 70 traffic officers and armed response vehicles, but we do share them with Norfolk. Since I was elected in 2012 roads policing and keeping the traffic flowing has been an absolute priority in our police and crime plan."
"Of course, there is the added visibility, which is something we all wants. If people do see more traffic police around, not just for enforcement but also for reassurance, I know that people in Suffolk would really welcome that. I certainly would as well."
"I'm afraid to say a lot of the killed and serious injuries happen on rural roads, so if we could expand their remit to there as well, that would be really beneficial."
"We have major international routes in Suffolk, but because they're not motorways, and I'm talking about the A14 and the A12, we get virtually no support from traffic officers from national highways and I think that's completely unacceptable."
"That's why getting extra officers and the equipment would be very welcome."
The AA said it welcomed the increased use of AI cameras which can detect more offences beyond speeding, but warned roads policing cannot be carried out by cameras alone.
About nine out of 10 (91%) of its members surveyed said more traffic police would make communities safer.
Labour's general election manifesto included a pledge to recruit "thousands" of new police officers to tackle neighbourhood crime.
Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: "Be it driving offences or wider crime, public opinion suggests that too many people are simply getting away it.
"It's clear that the public want to see more bobbies on the beat, so the Government's ambition to increase the number of police officers is welcome.
"We believe there should be a wider approach to tackling crime and that more cops in cars could produce safer communities as well as safer roads.
"A clear and visible presence is a deterrent itself to ensure better standards of driving, as well as sending a warning signal to criminals that the chances of being caught are higher than before.
"Most traffic cops catch other crimes in the act, such as discovering stolen goods, through routine stops.
"Similarly, a camera can spot the speeding driver, but it can't stop them if they are under the influence of drink or drugs.
"Investment in traffic officers does more than improve road safety, it produces safer neighbourhoods too."