Uninsured drivers and those who speed will be targeted as Durham Constabulary launches its new Road Safety Bureau this month.
As covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease, officers have seen an increase in the levels of traffic on the roads and have been listening to residents who say speeding is a concern in their communities.
The new bureau will be able to conduct safety camera deployments at nominated sites across County Durham and Darlington and also look to educate drivers on other road safety offences such as the use of seatbelts and using mobile phones.
Bureau manager, Terri Raine, for Durham Constabulary, said: “This is an important area of activity which we know helps make communities safer and will therefore always be a priority for the constabulary.
“As well as targeting speeding motorists, the force will also be targeting uninsured drivers who put other road users in danger especially as they are often involved in other crimes such as drugs offences or driving without a licence.
“Bad driving can have devastating consequences for everyone involved so we would always encourage drivers to think twice and just slow down.”
Acting Police Victims’ Commissioner Steve White added: “This is a local priority in the Police and Crime plan and is something I take seriously.
“Speeding is an issue that is regularly highlighted to us by communities across Durham and Darlington and we are determined to take action and support of local residents.”
In preparation for its launch today, the new unit has already identified dangerous drivers who flaunt speed limits across County Durham and Darlington.
For example, on a 30mph road in Sherburn Hill, 59 vehicles were speeding within just one hour with the highest recorded speed being 51mph.
After a visit to Maiden Law near Lanchester, 47 vehicles were speeding with the worst offenders travelling at 52mph in a 30mph limit and in Geneva Road in Darlington, a vehicle was also clocked doing 52mph in the 30mph zone.
