Speeding has been one of the key road safety talking points during the coronavirus pandemic – and few can claim to have done more to tackle the issue than det supt Andy Cox from the Met Police.
Figures from the Met show that while traffic volumes have fallen in the Capital, average speeds across all roads have increased – and in some cases are 50% higher than the limit.
In his own words, det supt Cox – from the Met’s Roads and Traffic Policing Command – says while his job is simply to enforce the law, he will use his voice to try and influence decision making.
From his Twitter account, Mr Cox has been highlighting the importance of safe speeds and sticking to limits throughout the coronavirus pandemic – explaining how the Met is working to detect offenders.
Mr Cox recently spoke with Rebecca Morris from Road Safety Support – in a series of three interviews about the issues.
In the second video, titled ‘Are drivers getting the message to slow down?’, he outlines plans to take the Met’s anti-speeding campaign forward.
Mr Cox talks about ‘naming and shaming’ offenders and discusses the issue of appropriate sentencing for high-speed drivers.
He also shares his experiences with social media, gives advice on tailoring messages for different road user groups and explains how he has helped to change public perceptions.
Why not fit all vehicles with gps trackers ? You speed, you get a fine in the post or your day in court, just like a parking or bus lane violation.
John Boston, Shepton Mallet
0
Having listened to Det Supt Cox on Radio 2 today, it’s very clear push bikes 1 motorists 0. So Mr Cox wants to “use his voice to try and influence decision making.” How about starting with making it law that those on two wheels wear a High vis vests an it is mandatory? If you want to stand in front of these 2 wheel users then make a start on making it a level playing field. No, you won’t do that. It would not even enter the discussion. On a bike 1, in a car 0. and that’s the way it will always be. You think I’m unfair well think again as it’s fact.
I live in an area that our council put signs up saying no push bikes on the pavement. Who is going to enforce it? The police just drive past and ignore so what’s the point?
No, what Mr Cox is really saying is the police are going to come down even harder on the motorist. And that is not a surprise…..
Trevor Green, Deeside
--2
On the few occasions I go out on my motorcycle under the current rules, though I fail to see how riding solo poses a risk to spreading a virus or demands an obligatory road accident such that NHS services would not be able to cope with the few who do, compared with NHS demand due to people getting infected through disobeying distancing rules (rant over), I have seen drivers on urban roads driving faster because of the much reduced traffic load. In some areas, with cars parked along the road where if a child ran out they would not be able to stop or avoid a collision. I’ve seen women as well men do this, seemingly unprepared for events that could occur. I’ve also noticed a tendency to pull out of junctions because they are not expecting traffic so fail to look properly. Driving to the limit is not always appropriate for the conditions, let alone exceed it.
Frank Bonner, Sheffield
+11
It is impossible to say categorically that “..in the Capital, average speeds across all roads have increased..” as it is impossible to measure this.
Main routes upon which, speeds may be routinely measured, no doubt are much less congested than normally, which allows average speeds to be higher (but not necessarily illegal) and more in keeping with what the average speeds would have been anyway, if not normally congested.
Casual observation of the fewer vehicles on the roads local to me, suggest speeds are not necessarily higher than normal – why would they be?
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
--7