Urgent Call for Road Safety After Deadly Weeks in Devon and Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall are reeling from a spate of serious road accidents, with local authorities reporting a troubling increase in traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

From 1 April to 6 May 2024, the police responded to 17 severe incidents that claimed nine lives and caused significant injuries to another nine individuals.

Plea from the Police

Simon, the Chief Inspector of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Roads Policing Team, has voiced a heartfelt plea to all road users. Highlighting the personal tragedies behind the statistics, he emphasised the devastating impact on the families and friends of the victims. “Each one of these collisions is a tragedy,” Simon stated, urging drivers to adapt their behaviour to road conditions, maintain safe speeds, and be vigilant of other road users.

“The past few weeks have been truly tragic, and the last thing our officers want to do is knock on any more doors to tell someone a loved one isn’t coming home,” he added. Simon’s message is clear: caution is paramount whether you are driving, riding, or walking.

Road Safety as a Top Priority

Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner, also expressed her concerns. As chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, Alison is committed to reducing road casualties. “Through Vision Zero South West, we are working hard with our partners to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” she explained.

Alison stressed the importance of collective responsibility in enhancing road safety. She called on all road users to exercise greater care, allocate more time for travel, and pay special attention to vulnerable groups such as cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.

Take Action

For those seeking guidance on how to contribute to road safety and prevent further tragedies, detailed advice is available on the police’s ‘Fatal Five’ campaign page. Accessing this resource can provide vital information on how best to protect oneself and others while navigating the roads in Devon and Cornwall.

In light of recent events, the message from Devon and Cornwall Police is unequivocal: take heed of the conditions, slow down, and keep a lookout for each other. Every effort counts towards making the region’s roads safer for everyone.