Devon & Cornwall Police have responded to public concerns about dangerous drivers by carrying out a number of high-visibility patrols on the A3052. 116 vehicles were recorded driving at excessive speed in 24 hours, spread over the course of four evenings.
The A3052 is a main arterial road, spanning 27 miles running from Charmouth in Dorset to Clyst St. Mary in Devon, and has been identified by Police as a high-harm route.
Between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022, there were 63 recorded collisions on the A3052 in Devon alone. These collisions resulted in 102 casualties; 16 of whom suffered serious injuries and four who sadly lost their lives.
In an effort to reduce fatal and serious collisions, Roads Policing Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police have been carrying out increased roadside speed checks, working alongside Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Special Constables, Speed Detection Officers and with support from the Newton Poppleford Community Speed Watch Team.
Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety for Devon & Cornwall Police and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement group, said: “Speed is major contributory factor in fatal and serious road collisions. Driving or riding too fast gives you less time to react and greatly increases the severity of injuries when a collision occurs.
“We know that speeding is a regularly reported concern for communities in Devon and Cornwall, and we want to make it clear that we are absolutely committed to reducing casualties and keeping our roads safe. We have a number of specialist teams who work tirelessly to keep our roads safer 24/7 365 days of the year, and this operation is just one example.
In the 24 hours that the speed detection activity took place, the team recorded:
- 116 vehicles driving at excessive speed
- 12 documentation offences
- 28 drivers reported for other offences
- 4 drivers arrested
- 5 vehicles seized by Police
- 48 drivers given advice or guidance
Mr Leisk continued: “As a member of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, our collective aim is to halve all fatal and serious collisions in Devon and Cornwall by 2030 – and to eradicate them completely by 2040.
“We know the vast majority of motorists are careful and considerate drivers who stick to the rules and drive at a safe speed. This enforcement is focused on targeting the minority of people who do not adhere to the law and, in doing so, put theirs and other people’s lives at risk.”
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, is vice-chairman of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.
Cllr Hughes said: “Through our data and analysis, Vision Zero South West identified the A3052 as a High Harm Route based on the number of collisions and injuries that occurred on the road.
“I believe Devon & Cornwall Police’s continued monitoring of this road will help make it a safer route for all who use it.
“Last year 47 people were killed and 738 seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads – that number must come down. All of Vision Zero South West’s partners share a vision and commitment to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions by 50% by 2030 – and eventually to zero.”