Speeding targeted during national road safety campaign

We’re supporting a national road safety campaign to crackdown on speeding.

Inappropriate speed contributes to around 11 per cent of all injury collisions reported to the police, with 15 per cent of collisions resulting in a serious injury and 24 per cent of collisions resulting in fatalities.

This week, The National Police Chief Council (NPCC) Speed Campaign kicked off across the UK. Gwent Police along with GoSafe will be participating in both engaging with the public about the risks of speeding and enforcing the speed limits on the roads of Wales.

In 2019, 60,073 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued in Wales to drivers/riders for speeding.

Speeding is a major contributing factor to collisions on the roads of Wales. This includes both ‘excessive speed’, where the speed limit is exceeded, as well as driving or riding within the speed limit when this is too fast for the conditions at the time; for example, in poor weather, poor visibility or high pedestrian activity.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, we saw less traffic but higher speeds.  Now our restrictions are lifting, traffic volumes are up and as we are holidaying in the UK more, we are seeing more people speeding on the roads in Wales.  We want to change this but can only do that with your help. 

Over the next few weeks, you will see an increased presence on the road network of Wales as we aim to keep all road users safe and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. 

We know that the majority of road users comply with the speed limit; but the minority of those who do not increases the risk to the safety of all road users and need to be educated on the risks to their own safety as well as to the safety of those around them.

Chief inspector Martyn Smith said:

“Speeding can have devasting consequences, leaving individuals seriously injured or worse. It is one of the ‘fatal five’ offences - the five main causes of casualties on UK roads – which include not wearing a seatbelt, using mobile phones, driving under the influence of alcohol /drugs and careless driving.

“We’re committed to increasing the safety of all road users in Gwent and anyone caught speeding will be prosecuted.

“Speed limits are there to protect lives, therefore my ask is simple, drive responsibly and within the speed limit. Keeping people safe on our roads is an issue that everyone can be involved in; individuals, families, friends and communities all have a role to play in helping to promote safer driving.”

Teresa Ciano, GoSafe Partnership Manager said: 

“GoSafe enforce at sites across Wales in order to encourage motorists to comply with the speed limits and in turn make our roads and communities safer for everyone. If we all play our part and stand up for slowing down we can make a difference, and we can save lives on the roads of Wales.”

Lee Waters MS, deputy minister for climate change said:

“I am very pleased to support this campaign. Driving at high speeds costs lives and a greater Police presence on our roads will mean motorists will be more likely to drive within the speed limits, protecting lives and avoiding a speeding fine.”