Targeted operations, education and engagement are being stepped up across Devon & Cornwall as part of National Road Safety Week from November 17-23.

Speed, tyre safety, distracted driving, commercial vehicles and drink and drug driving will all form part of targeted police operations during the week, which has been organised by the Vision Zero South West Road Safety Partnership.

Throughout the week, emergency services will be delivering the Learn2Live programme to schools and colleges around the Devon and Cornwall, which aims to ensure that young people are given the very best start to their time behind the wheel.

Vision Zero South West will be sharing all manner of helpful road safety hints and tips on their social media channels and there will also be increased public engagement and education throughout the region – including the launch of some new innovative projects* which could have a huge impact on the partnership’s goal to cut death and serious injuries on our roads to zero.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “Road safety is something that effects every single one of us in Devon & Cornwall. Whether you’re a driver, motorcyclist, horse rider, cyclist or a pedestrian – everyone has a right to feel safe and secure when using our road network.

“Last year, 48 people were killed and 702 seriously injured on Devon & Cornwall’s roads. These aren’t just numbers – these are people’s loved ones and family members, parents, children, brothers, sisters, friends.

“Each one of these fatal and serious collisions has a devastating impact on those involved and the wider community - and that is why we work so hard to reduce these figures. All of Vision Zero’s members have made a commitment to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions on Devon and Cornwall’s roads by 50% by 2030 – and eventually, to zero. 

“I hope our activities during the Road Safety Week of Action will form a blueprint for the future and help raise the profile of road safety in the region.”

Adrian Leisk, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Head of Road Safety, said: “Speed is a major contributory factor in fatal and serious collisions. Excessive speed gives drivers less time to react and significantly increases the chances of death or serious injury in the event of a collision.

“Throughout our Week of Action, we will be deploying Speed Detection Officers (SDOs) at a variety of locations where there have been previous collisions or where communities have raised significant concerns about safety. These officers will also be supported by volunteers from Community Speedwatch (CSW) who will be out in force monitoring compliance in their communities.

“We will also be tackling the other ‘Fatal Five’ causes of collisions during the week, particularly distracted driving and seatbelt compliance. We will be deploying our AI cameras across the region which can detect when road users are not wearing a seatbelt or using their phone while driving.

“The message is very simple - please, please don’t risk it. It’s simply not worth it.”

Chief Inspector Dean Drury of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Roads Policing Team added: “Our officers will also be out in Force on various operations targeting drivers committing road traffic offences relating to the ‘Fatal Five’ - as well as looking at commercial drivers throughout Road Safety Week.

“There is no excuse for driving whilst impaired, in a careless or dangerous manner, or in a vehicle with safety defects, such as tyres with below minimum tread depth, as it endangers the lives of the driver, their passengers and everyone else around them - so I make no apology for increasing vigilance in this area. 

“Similarly, drivers who use vehicles for work have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all other road users. We will be checking the compliance of commercial vehicles on our road network throughout the week, so please ensure your work vehicle meets or exceeds the minimum standards expected.”

Annabelle Priest, Road Safety Officer at Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, has been involved with the Learn2Live programme for many years now.

She said: “Educating our young road users is absolutely vital if we are to achieve zero road deaths and serious injuries.

“Unfortunately young people are consistently overrepresented in our road casualty figures, which is why they are one of Vision Zero South West’s key vulnerable road user groups.

“The Learn2Live programme we deliver to schools and colleges across Devon, Somerset & Cornwall has been rigorously evaluated and proven to encourage safe road user behaviour amongst those who take part.

“Young people are the road users of the future and so it’s really important that we prepare them as best we can for that responsibility.”