A crackdown on dangerous and reckless driving is underway in Birmingham, 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 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 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 a whole host of local representatives.
Mr Street 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.”
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.
Superintendent Gareth Mason, head of roads policing in the West Midlands, said: “Road safety is a key issue for WMP and we continue to carry out daily activity, but we cannot do this work alone which is why we are working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, TfWM, and local groups.
“We know that by working together with our partners and local communities we can make significant progress in creating safer roads.
“We continue to urge all motorists to prioritise road safety, obey speed limits and remain vigilant while driving. Your actions can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and protecting lives.”
As a further deterrent to speeding, partners will work together to lower speed limits and increase the number of average speed cameras on the region’s most dangerous 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.
In September, TfWM will launch a revised Road Safety Strategy with the goal of a 50% reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on West Midlands roads by the end of 2030 and the ultimate target of Vision Zero for no deaths.
This will align with Birmingham City Council’s own road safety strategy which will be published later this year.
Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “For far too long we have given priority to cars and other motor vehicles, and this must change. We have set out in our transport plan how we want Birmingham to be a place to live and be, not drive and park, with people making better use of public transport, walking and cycling. In changing our priorities we can achieve a change in attitude and behaviour – after all, we all want safer roads.
“Everyone can play their part, whether authorities, charities, campaigners or members of the public. We have an ambitious but vital goal and together we can, and must, achieve it because we cannot tolerate dangerous driving that causes so many deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
Comment on this story