ROAD POLICING COMMITMENT
11 January 2005 - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

A new strategy for policing the roads was today announced by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport, Home Office Minister Caroline Flint and Richard Brunstrom, Head of Road Policing for the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The joint strategy identifies the following policing priorities:

* Denying criminals use of the roads by enforcing the law
* Reducing road casualties
* Tackling the threat of terrorism
* Reducing anti social use of the roads
* Enhancing public confidence and reassurance by patrolling the roads

It clearly sets the Police commitment to deal with all forms of illegal and anti social use of the roads, including drink driving, speeding, dangerous or careless driving and behaviour which is threatening to road users - including pedestrians as well as drivers. The strategy aims to tackle these through:

* A highly visible police presence on the roads

* Continued operation of the National Safety Camera Programme for cutting casualties and deaths at collision blackspots

* A national police Drink and Drug Driving Campaign

* A national police Seat Belt Campaign to increase the level of seat belt wearing, especially in the rear-seats and by children

Speaking ahead of today''s Second Reading of the Road Safety Bill Alistair Darling said:

''This clear and shared commitment to policing the roads is backed up by the Road Safety Bill. There can be no doubt that we are committed to enforcing existing laws, and measures contained in the Bill, to ensure that everyone can use the road safely and without intimidation.

''We''ve had significant success in recent years at reducing the number of casualties on our roads. But we can and will do even better.
Unlawful and anti-social behaviour on the road is not acceptable.''

Caroline Flint said:

''Roads policing is an important and valuable part of day-to-day policing. It not only helps reduce deaths and injuries on the roads, but reduces anti-social and criminal misuse of vehicles and provides a reassuring presence to the public.

''A key element in the strategy is the increased use of new technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology (ANPR). Officers using ANPR make nine times the number of arrests and contribute to three times the number of offenders brought to justice compared with a conventional officer.

''But, technology is not the whole picture - the strategy will ensure that there is an adequate police presence on the roads to deal with significant problems which cannot be detected by technology, including drink and drug driving, and to help wider crime reduction.

''We are committed to challenging unlawful and unruly behaviour on the roads as we do on the streets and in other public places. The Road Policing Strategy published today reaffirms this commitment and will make a significant contribution to road safety and law enforcement.''

Richard Brunstrom said:

''Tackling irresponsible, unlawful and anti-social use of the roads is rightly a policing priority. I''m delighted to see the Home Office, Department for Transport and ACPO joining forces in this very public way - this statement will set the tone for roads policing for years to come.''

www.dft.gov.uk

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