In 2002, 3,431 people were killed, 35,976 people were seriously injured and 263,198 people slightly injured on the road. The vast majority of these deaths and injuries were due to dangerous or careless driving (or riding). About one third (1,100) of the deaths were due to speeding. Around 500 deaths were due to drink driving. Almost all road crashes are caused by, or involve, human error. Therefore, to reduce this appalling toll of loss and injury, it is necessary to influence the way drivers, riders and walkers behave when using the road. There are many ways of influencing behaviour and it is well recognised that the most effective approach is a co-ordinated strategy of: * Education (including training and publicity) to provide road users with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes so that they choose to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner; * Engineering (both road and vehicle) to physically affect the way road users behave (for example, through speed reduction measures); * Enforcement to support and complement education and engineering measures, to specifically target irresponsible, dangerous and unlawful behaviour that puts other road users at risk, and to investigate, and where appropriate take enforcement action. Road policing is a vital component of the Government’s road safety strategy, and plays a key role in saving lives and minimising injury on the road. It must be given its rightful priority by governments and Police Services, and be adequately resourced. The Police have many priorities (including violent crime, burglary and preventing terrorism) all of which are extremely important issues that concern the public. However, more people are killed on the road than by any other form of crime. In financial terms, road crashes cost around £17 billion per year. There is a consistent public demand “for higher levels of visible police presence” on our roads. The visible enforcement of road traffic law is an effective deterrent to dangerous behaviour and significantly contributes to enabling people to use the roads safely. If drivers and riders believe there is less chance of being detected and prosecuted, they are more likely to behave dangerously (speeding, tailgating, drink driving, using a mobile phone and so on). Indeed the Government’s White Paper on Policing Reform provides evidence that the likelihood of conviction has more effect on deterring offenders than the severity of sentence. The purpose of this paper is to (a) outline the role and effectiveness of roads policing; (b) explore issues related to the level and provision of roads policing; (c) develop RoSPA’s policy positions in regard to roads policing. The paper does not address accidents that occur during police pursuits, following or emergency responses. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting