43 people killed in year of tragedy on Merseyside roads
43 people were killed in a year of tragedy on roads across the region. The ECHO has reported on a number of fatal crashes across Merseyside[1] this year, which have left families devastated. One of the most recent incidents happened on December 15, when a 90-year-old woman died after being hit by a car on Acrefield Road in Woolton[2].
A 52-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving and death by dangerous driving. Just weeks earlier on December 4, dad-of-two Paul Cunliffe[3] died after a crash in St Helens[4].
The 40-year-old, from Thatto Heath, was travelling as a cyclist when he was involved in a crash with a silver Nissan Micra and a white Ford Transit on Sherdley Road, near to Peterlee Close.
He was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries. New figures released by Merseyside Police‘s roads policing team this week show 43 people have died on roads in Merseyside this year alone. The stark figure is almost double the number of road related deaths reported in 2022, when the force recorded 23 people died in road traffic accidents.[7][8]
Since November 20 this year, 601 people have been arrested as part of Operation Limit, aimed at preventing and detecting drink and drug drivers. Merseyside Police said out of those 601 arrests, 426 were related to drug driving and 174 to drink driving. The roads policing team said the operation isn’t just limited to this time of year.
In 2022, police said 3712 drivers were arrested for road traffic offences – a figure that’s expected to be higher this year. In a stark warning to drivers, the roads policing team said: “We get comments like “why don’t you catch real criminals”. “Unfortunately, we deal with the horrendous results of drink and drug driving as well as all other forms of road crime.
43 people have lost their lives in Merseyside this year, each one is a tragedy for their loved ones. “We would not accept 43 people being killed in any other way and we should not accept it on our roads. Our officers will be out in force at New Year catching anyone else who choses to drive after drinking or taking drugs.
You can join the 601 about to lose their licence. “We get comments like “Speed cameras to pay for their Christmas do”. These comments show a lack of understanding.
The police don’t get any money from enforcement activity. We do it because it’s the right thing to do to protect our communities. “We all need to share the roads responsibly and as drivers you need to put driving first before any other distraction.
We hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas and wish you all the best for New Year.
Keep following to see all the work we do every day. @MerPolTraffic.”
Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here[9]
References
- ^ The ECHO has reported on a number of fatal crashes across Merseyside (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Woolton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Paul Cunliffe (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ St Helens (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Teacher who began inappropriate relationship with pupil at prestigious Liverpool school banned (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Five faces of women who killed and how long they will be locked up for (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Merseyside Police (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ 23 people died in road traffic accidents. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)