Police chief targets reducing road deaths
PA MediaA police chief has set out plans to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
County Durham and Darlington's Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said in the 12 months to December 2023 there were 214 crashes involving a fatality or serious injury in the force area.
"Whilst this is a 4.5 per cent reduction compared to the previous year, this is still too high," the commissioner said.
Priorities announced by the commissioner include the deployment of additional mobile speed cameras alongside public awareness and education campaigns to promote safe driving.
Data covering the first three quarters of 2023-24 showed there were 192 crashes involving a fatality or serious injury, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Allen said she was "continuously contacted with concerns about speeding vehicles and safety for all road users" as she launched her police and crime plan for the next four years.
Family HandoutAmong the items laid out in the plan was an instruction for wider messaging about the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs.
Allen said: "No single organisation can reduce collisions, deaths and serious injuries, so we must work together if we are to achieve vision zero – every day without a road death."
Last year, Durham Police targeted holidaymakers who took to their cars after landing back at the airport and while still above the alcohol limit.
The police commissioner backed the campaign of Sharlorna Warner, whose eight-month-old son and sister were killed by speeding drunk driver Darryl Anderson, for lifelong driving bans for dangerous drink and drug drivers.
Baby Zackary Blades and his aunt Karlene Warner were killed on their way home from the Newcastle Airport in a crash on the A1(M) in County Durham in May.
Ms Allen said: "It is vital our justice system sufficiently punishes those who recklessly gamble with people's lives and cause these devastating tragedies to prevent them from harming other innocent people in the future."