Concern from police as 21 people die in crashes on Suffolk’s roads this year
Twenty people have died on Suffolk’s roads this year as a result of crashes (file photo) (Image: Newsquest) A top police officer has urged drivers to consider the “real risks” when getting behind the wheel as it was revealed 21 people have died as a result of crashes on Suffolk’s roads this year. Inspector Gary Miller, of the Norfolk & Suffolk Roads Armed Policing Team, said all fatalities are “avoidable” and typically fall into one category of the ‘fatal four’ – speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving.
Both May and August saw four people die as a result of crashes, including when two people were killed following a collision between two Audis[1] at Euston on August 17. The EADT reported on a total of 23 deaths on Suffolk’s roads in 2022[2], compared to 20 in 2021. Suffolk police launched its Christmas campaign to tackle drink and drug driving[3] over the festive period at the start of December.
East Anglian Daily Times: The number of people who have died in crashes this year has been revealed
The number of people who have died in crashes this year has been revealed (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest) As part of the campaign, police said they would be breathalysing every driver they speak to between December 1 and New Year’s Day. At the time of speaking, Insp Miller revealed there had been 30 arrests made for driving with excess alcohol, 45 for excess drugs and five for failing to provide a specimen at the scene.
He also spoke of the devastation that road fatalities have on families and issued a plea to drivers who may be intoxicated to consider other means of getting where they need to be. Insp Miller said: “The [fatal crash] figure for 2023 so far is 21. But this can fluctuate once we identify causes – for instance, it may be determined that some drivers died of natural causes.
East Anglian Daily Times: Inspector Gary Miller, of Suffolk police
Inspector Gary Miller, of Suffolk police (Image: Suffolk police) “What we say is all road fatalities are avoidable. There are no particular patterns to suggest certain ones result in more crashes.
“The fatal four continue to be the string that goes through all the fatalities. Story continues “The message has been around for a number of years, but the crashes still seem to happen.
“At this time of year, it’s important to reiterate the message of urging people not to take those risks. Losing someone will devastate families. “My appeal, and the reason I am so passionate about the cause, is because if one person can read or hear about it and think to themselves ‘it’s not worth risking it’ then it has been a success.
“It’s just about understanding there are real risks on the roads.
None of the people who have died will have woken up in the morning thinking they will have a crash – but it can happen to anyone.”
References
- ^ killed following a collision between two Audis (www.eadt.co.uk)
- ^ reported on a total of 23 deaths on Suffolk’s roads in 2022 (www.eadt.co.uk)
- ^ launched its Christmas campaign to tackle drink and drug driving (www.eadt.co.uk)