PCC joins officers on Dartmoor

They want to crackdown on dangerous driving on the moor.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez joined officers at Haytor today (Wednesday 10th July).

The operation saw undercover police drivers and motorcyclists challenging dangerous driving and offering education and advice to road users.

58 people were killed on the roads in Devon and Cornwall in the 12 months to March 2019 and there were 837 serious casualties. Data shows that although more accidents happen in urban areas, they are more likely to be serious or fatal in rural areas. According to the British Horse Society 36 horses were killed on Devon’s roads last year, with one killed in Cornwall. Farmers say that more than 150 animals were killed on Dartmoor alone in 2018.

“The summer is well and truly with us and I want to ask people to take extra care and to educate themselves and their loved ones about the terrible cost dangerous driving has, especially in rural areas,” Alison said.

“Our roads are for everyone, whether they be cyclists, riders or walkers. Here in the Westcountry many are single track and with twists and turns. Drivers need to be patient and attentive.

“It’s great to see the police working with partners in an effort to reduce the harm caused by dangerous driving and I truly hope we’ll see fewer deaths this year.”

Jon Farr, project manager for the of the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership, said: “Our message to people this summer is that you need to pay attention when you are on the road, it’s really easy to get distracted, especially on a beautiful day, but you do have to focus on the driving task.

“The roads on Dartmoor are fairly typical of rural roads and if you come off them you are likely to hit a large lump of granite which could cause serious injury or death. It’s busy on the moor at the moment, we have cyclists, motorcyclists, livestock; a whole load of hazards, and that’s why you need to concentrate all the time.”