West Mercia Police 'committed' to making roads a safer place for all, says roads policing inspector
It's as the force is supporting a national month-long operation to highlight and show the ongoing work to tackle those breaking the law while driving
Enforcement and education continues to be at the centre of work to stop people breaking the law when driving, a West Mercia Police roads policing inspector has said.
56 people were killed and 486 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire last year.
Common causation factors listed, also sometimes referred to as the 'fatal four', were speeding or inappropriate speed, distractions, such as mobile phones, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and not wearing a seat belt.
Throughout April, West Mercia Police is supporting Operation Spotlight, a national operation to highlight their ongoing work to clamp down on these issues.
On the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads last year across the force area, roads policing and operational policing unit (OPU) inspector Darren Godsall said: "We are committed to reducing that and to making our roads a safer place for everyone.
"The threat of harm on our roads is ever present, in every force in the country, the aim is to reduce the number of people seriously injured and killed.
"Focusing on the fatal four, these are the known reasons why people come to harm on our roads, so we will use enforcement and also education and engagement to try and encourage people to slow down, to not drink and drive, not take drugs, wear their seat belts, and also not be distracted when driving.
"Don't use your mobile phone, don't be tempted to look at that message, keep your eyes on the road, and be safe for yourself and everyone else."
The force added that keeping those who use the roads safe is a "24/7, year-round priority".