Durham PCC Joy Allen urges tougher road safety laws

PCC Joy Allen, who is also the national joint lead for road safety for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said urgent action is needed to tackle dangerous driving behaviours that continue to claim lives on UK roads.

Government figures show that 21 per cent of all road fatalities involve drink or drug driving.

A quarter of those killed or seriously injured were driving for work or commuting.

Ms Allen said: “These statistics are a stark reminder that dangerous driving behaviours continue to devastate families and communities across the country.

“Saving lives must be our absolute priority.

“That means taking a comprehensive approach which combines stronger legislation, better education and robust enforcement.

“Drug and drink driving remains one of the most significant threats on our roads with those who continue to flaunt the law putting the lives of innocent road users at risk.”

She has called for the wider use of random workplace drug and alcohol testing.

This is already in place at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and within Durham Constabulary.

Ms Allen said: “We need to look seriously at expanding random workplace drug and alcohol testing, particularly in roles where driving is essential, to help identify problems early, support intervention and ultimately prevent tragedies before they happen.”

She has also called for a lower drink-drive limit, an even lower limit for novice drivers, mandatory regular eyesight testing for those who wear glasses or lenses, and tougher action against dangerous behaviours such as not wearing seatbelts, mobile phone use, and illegal number plates.

However, she believes the Government’s current approach does not go far enough, especially for young and inexperienced drivers.

She said: “For too long we have delayed introducing measures that we know work.

“While proposals for a minimum learning period are welcome, they stop short of fully embracing graduated driver licensing (GDL), a proven, evidence-based approach that saves lives.”

GDL introduces restrictions for newly qualified drivers during the highest-risk period after they pass their test.

Countries that have implemented GDL have seen significant reductions in collisions involving young drivers, and Northern Ireland has already taken the decision to move forward with the approach.

Ms Allen said: “The evidence is overwhelming and the cost of delay is measured not in reports, but in funerals, life-changing injuries and devastated families.”

She has been lobbying nationally for the introduction of GDL in England and Wales.

International data shows the approach can reduce young driver collisions by between 20 and 40 per cent.

Ms Allen said: “Too many young people are being killed on our roads and I am determined to do everything I can to save precious lives.”

Road safety remains a top concern for residents in County Durham and Darlington.

Earlier this year, a public survey found it was one of the top three issues for communities, with around 80 per cent of respondents saying they were worried about drink and drug driving.

Road safety is a key focus in the commissioner’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan, which supports the long-term Vision Zero aim of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

The plan calls for a lower drink-drive limit, mandatory driver retraining for dangerous driving convictions, licence suspension for those charged with drink or drug driving until court proceedings conclude, improved roadside testing technology, and expanded workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Ms Allen said: “Targets without funding will not deliver change, and we must address that.

“Stronger enforcement against drink and drug driving, uninsured vehicles, ghost plates and persistent speeding requires sustained investment in roads policing, forensic testing capability, technology and prevention work.

“If we are serious about reducing deaths and serious injuries, then we must match ambition with resources.

“Every road death is one too many.

“Through stronger laws, better education and properly funded enforcement, we can save lives and prevent more families experiencing the kind of heartbreak that follows a knock at the door.”