Family Liaison Officer speaks out on BBC Essex following 10 fatalities on roads of Essex in February 2016
Please drive carefully and respect other road users – that’s the plea from road policing officers who attended 10 fatal collisions on the county’s roads last month.
Ten people died as a result of the collisions in Essex in February 2016 - more than three times the fatalities (3) recorded in February the previous year. A further 67 drivers and passengers were seriously injured in February 2016 compared to 39 during the same period last year.
Fatal collisions occurred in Westcliff, Southend, Thurrock, Galleywood, Cressing, Basildon, Weeley, Brentwood and Witham.
Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager, said: “February saw more collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries than any other month over the last nine years and my thoughts and those of my officers are with the families and friends of each of those drivers and passengers killed or seriously injured.
“My team leads a number of operations and enforcement activities every week of the year to detect and deter criminals using the county’s roads and increase safety on the road network.
“We will continue to do this but we need support from drivers across Essex to help make the roads a safer place. Speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, driving carelessly, failing to respect other road users and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol all risk and ruin lives.
“Please take some personal responsibility. Ask yourself if you’re driving appropriately for the road and weather conditions, visibility and traffic volume, watch your speed and please don’t use hand held mobile phones behind the wheel. If you absolutely must answer a call, find a safe place to stop before doing so. While the use of hands free is legal, we would also discourage the use of it as it diverts attention away from the road.
“My team and I are passionate about road safety and our motivation is simple – it’s about saving lives. Please help us to help you and your loved ones.”