“It seems accidents are spiraling out of control.”
Town and parish councils have joined calls for a dedicated roads policing unit on the Isle of Wight.
Since the new year, the Island has seen a spate of road accidents, with one proving fatal, leading to more requests for a specialist team.
On the Island, as part of Hampshire Constabulary, the road’s policing unit also serves as the armed response vehicle team.
Appeal from MP and IWC Leader
Before Christmas, the Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, and leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, wrote to the force’s bosses saying they felt dangerous driving on the Island is increasingly becoming a problem.
With policing levels increasing, it was requested serious consideration was given to a dedicated roads policing unit for the Isle of Wight.
Using data from the House of Commons, the letter highlighted, in 2020, the Island had the highest rate across Great Britain, outside of London, for people killed or seriously injured in road accidents.
Letter from IWALC
Now, the Isle of Wight Association of Local Council’s (IWALC) has agreed to write a letter to the Island’s new district commander Superintendent Jim Pegler, Chief Constable Olivia Pinkley and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, in support of the campaign.
Speaking at the IWALC meeting last night (Thursday), Havenstreet’s Cllr Mick Lyons said it seemed as if he read about a car crash every day and the situation was spiralling out of control.
Blezzard: A dedicated unit in the 1980s
Cllr Bob Blezzard, who previously worked for the police, confirmed there was a dedicated unit in the 1980s and said the issue needed to be brought to the attention of top officials.
Cllr June Davidson, of Newchurch Parish Council, said it was something the village felt strongly about. They asked the police to enforce speed limits but had not received a response.
Recent enforcement
At the meeting, Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said the recent enforcement, which saw 49 tickets issued over two days, reiterated the need for a dedicated team.
A roads policing unit from the mainland joined Island officers over a weekend, in a proactive operation targeting poor driving behaviours.
Tickets were issued for multiple offences including driving without a licence, speeding and driving without a seatbelt on.
After the action taken Supt Pegler said the policing of dangerous driving on the Island was something he would continue to focus on.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Isle of Wight Police
