PCC calls for stronger legislation, education and enforcement to save lives on our roads

Leading road safety campaigner and Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, is calling for stronger legislation, increased education and greater investment in enforcement after the latest Government road safety statistics highlighted the devastating impact of drink and drug driving.

Commissioner Allen, who is also the national Joint Lead for Road Safety for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said urgent action is needed to tackle the behaviours that continue to cost lives on the UK's roads.

The latest Government figures show that 21% of all road fatalities are linked to drink and drugs, while 25% of those killed or seriously injured (KSI) are driving for work or travelling to or from work.

In response, the Commissioner is urging greater use of random workplace drug and alcohol testing, alongside stronger enforcement powers and sustained investment in roads policing. Random workplace testing is already undertaken within both the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Durham Constabulary.

Joy Allen said: "These statistics are a stark reminder that dangerous driving behaviours continue to devastate families and communities across the country.

"Saving lives must be our absolute priority. That means taking a comprehensive approach which combines stronger legislation, better education and robust enforcement.

"Drug and drink driving remains one of the most significant threats on our roads with those who continue to flaunt the law putting the lives of innocent road users at risk.  We need to look seriously at expanding random workplace drug and alcohol testing, particularly in roles where driving is essential, to help identify problems early, support intervention and ultimately prevent tragedies before they happen.

"I would welcome a lower drink-drive limit, an even lower limit for novice drivers, mandatory regular eyesight testing for those who wear glasses or lenses, and tougher action against dangerous behaviours such as seatbelt non-use, mobile phone distraction and illegal number plates.  None of these are out of reach.

"These measures reflect the concerns residents consistently raise with me and link closely with work already underway locally through Durham Constabulary and our partners."

However, Commissioner Allen said the Government's approach does not yet go far enough to address the risks faced by young and inexperienced drivers.

"For too long we have delayed introducing measures that we know work," she said.

"While proposals for a minimum learning period are welcome, they stop short of fully embracing Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), a proven, evidence-based approach that saves lives.

"GDL allows newly qualified drivers to build experience gradually and safely by restricting the highest-risk activities during the early months after passing their test. Countries that have adopted the model have seen significant reductions in collisions involving young drivers, and Northern Ireland has already taken the decision to move forward with the approach.

"The evidence is overwhelming and the cost of delay is measured not in reports, but in funerals, life-changing injuries and devastated families."

The PCC has been lobbying nationally for tougher measures to protect young and inexperienced drivers, including the introduction of GDL. International evidence shows the approach can reduce collisions involving young drivers by between 20% and 40%.

“Too many young people are being killed on our roads and I am determined to do everything I can to save precious lives,” she said.

Road safety remains one of the highest priorities for residents across County Durham and Darlington. Earlier this year, survey findings showed it remains within the top three concerns identified by local communities, while around 80% of residents highlighted drink and drug driving as a concern.

As a result, safer roads remains a key priority within the Commissioner’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan, which supports the long-term Vision Zero ambition of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

The Plan includes a range of local and national commitments designed to improve driving standards and reduce casualties, including lobbying for a reduction in the drink-drive limit, mandatory National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme courses for those convicted of dangerous driving, licence suspension for those arrested and charged withdrink or drug driving offences pending court proceedings, increased capacity for drug-driving enforcement, improvements in roadside testing technology, and the expansion of workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Commissioner Allen added: "Targets without funding will not deliver change, and we must address that.

"Stronger enforcement against drink and drug driving, uninsured vehicles, ghost plates and persistent speeding requires sustained investment in roads policing, forensic testing capability, technology and prevention work.

"If we are serious about reducing deaths and serious injuries, then we must match ambition with resources. Every road death is one too many. Through stronger laws, better education and properly funded enforcement, we can save lives and prevent more families experiencing the kind of heartbreak that follows a knock at the door."

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