Action launched to crackdown on dangerous drivers

A crackdown on dangerous and reckless driving got underway in Birmingham this week following a spate of serious incidents on the region's roads.

Operations have been launched as part of a coordinated response by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Police (WMP), Birmingham City Council, and the region's Police and Crime Commissioner to recent incidents that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries.

Targeted enforcement is being carried out by police at known hot spots as part of Operation Triton in a show of intent by the region's authorities that anti-social driving will not be tolerated.

A high-profile awareness campaign has also been launched today on billboards and social media across the wider West Midlands, featuring hard-hitting messages warning of the tragic consequences of reckless behaviour behind the wheel.

A number of joint actions to improve safety on the region's roads were agreed by authorities following several hit-and-run incidents and other cases of dangerous driving over recent weeks.

It follows a summit chaired by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and attended by Craig Guildford, chief constable of West Midlands Police; Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council; Simon Foster, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner; Anne Shaw, executive director of TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Mayor's walking and cycling commissioner, Adam Tranter, alongside other local representatives.

The Mayor said: “Any death on our roads is a tragedy and in recent weeks we've seen too many lives lost, families heartbroken, and communities outraged.

“That's why we must all work together and remain focussed on taking sustained action that can make our roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. It's going to require a huge effort - and we're already turning words into action.”

Simon Foster, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, said: “People being tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads is unacceptable.

“That's why I am holding West Midlands Police to account, to prevent, tackle and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on our roads.

“The force has agreed to crackdown on rule breakers on our roads, set up two new police teams to bring dangerous drivers to justice and make it easier for you to report dangerous driving. Keeping people safe on our roads must remain a top priority.”

As part of the coordinated crackdown, police have pledged an increase in around-the-clock, intelligence-led and hot spot enforcement operations to crackdown on anti-social driving and speeding, and to make it even easier for local people to report and provide evidence of dangerous behaviour on the roads.

Plans for a segregated cycle lane on the A45 in Birmingham will also be accelerated with the aim of having spades in the ground for the first phase by this winter.

All of these immediate actions will be supported by longer-term plans to develop and deliver schemes which support active travel and improve the safety of vulnerable road users.

Click here to find out more about the campaign.

Pictured: Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council; Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner; Darren Divall, regional road safety manager for Transport for West Midlands; Superintendent Gareth Mason, head of roads policing in West Midlands, at the launch of today's road safety crackdown.