Speeding has consequences

South Wales Police is working with its partners to promote The European Traffic Police Network campaign to reduce death and serious injury due to speeding on the roads of South Wales.

Martyn Stone, Chief Inspector, Operational Support Department at South Wales Police said:

“Speeding is a community issue which is highlighted by the residents of South Wales. South Wales Police tackles speeding through a mixture of education and enforcement activities. Operations will be carried out at both a divisional and a regional level during the European wide (TISPOL) speed enforcement campaign, which started yesterday morning (18th April) to midnight on Sunday 24th April 2016.”

“During August 2015, the most recent TIPSOL campaign, a total of 37,486 vehicles were detected breaking the speed limit in the United Kingdom. During this year’s campaign, South Wales Police is working alongside local authorities, Go Safe and other local groups to provide a highly visible police presence to emphasis the law on exceeding the speed limit whilst driving and riding.

Speeding forms one of the “fatal five”, these are the five main causes for fatalities and serious collisions on the road. They are drink and drug driving, speed, careless or inconsiderate driving, seatbelts and mobile phones. A one per cent cut in the average speed can result in a five per cent reduction in the collision rate. A driver traveling at 35MPH is twice as likely to kill someone as someone hitting a pedestrian when travelling at 30MPH.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 a driver caught breaking the speed limit can receive a warning, traffic offence report, fine, endorsements, court proceedings, a criminal conviction or even a driving ban. If not driven carefully and appropriately a vehicle can become a lethal weapon.