Police road safety priority in Darlington and Durham
Last updated 1st May 2025
County Durham and Darlington’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has reiterated her ambition to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the region’s roads.
Road safety has again been included as one of Joy Allen’s key priorities as she launches her Police and Crime Plan for the next four years.
“People continuously contact me with concerns about speeding vehicles and safety for all road users,” PCC Allen said. “It is a fact that too many people are killed or seriously injured on the roads.”
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 added.
Data covering the first three quarters of 2023-24 showed there were 192 crashes involving a fatality or serious injury.
Road users have been urged to help police the region’s roads to make them safer for all users.
“We know from our extensive engagement work the public wants to help us make our roads safer, whether that is by submitting dashcam footage, being part of a local community speed watch scheme or most importantly using our roads and shared spaces responsibly and abiding by the laws of the road,” said PCC Allen.
“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,” said PCC Allen
Additional mobile speed cameras have been deployed, she explained, while public awareness and education campaigns to promote safe driving will continue.
Last year, Durham police joined other local authorities to take dangerous drivers off the roads by targeting holidaymakers who decide to drive under the influence once they touch down at local airports.
It is hoped the new campaign will make travellers leaving the airport think twice about driving under the influence so further fatalities can be prevented following the tragic deaths of baby Zackary Blades and his aunt Karlene Warner who were killed on their way home from the Newcastle Airport in May 2024.
Reacting to the initiative, Joy Allen, said: “Drink or drug driving is a selfish and inexcusable act. 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.
“Zackary’s parents and the whole family have suffered the most unimaginable grief and loss. I cannot put into words how courageous and inspirational they are to take this pain and apply it positively to secure vital changes that will prevent others from enduring the same heartache.”