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Lack of roads police officers emboldening dangerous drivers

07 October 2024

The AA has issued a plea for the Home Secretary to appoint 1,000 new roads police officers amid fears that drivers are emboldened to drive dangerously due to a lack of enforcement.

A recent survey by the motoring association found that 57 per cent of motorists believe they can ‘get away with’ careless driving due to a lack of police presence on the roads.

Home Office figures show that the number of traffic officers in England and Wales has fallen by 1,022 between 2016 and 2024. In March, there were 4,215 employed roads police officers.

The AA has also welcomed the use of AI cameras which can detect offences beyond speeding, such as using a mobile phone behind the wheel. However, it warned that the cameras cannot exclusively replace humans to police the roads.

As reported by Road Safety GB, AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said, “Be it driving offences or wider crime, public opinion suggests that too many people are simply getting away it.

“It’s clear that the public want to see more bobbies on the beat, so the Government’s ambition to increase the number of police officers is welcome. We believe there should be a wider approach to tackling crime and that more cops in cars could produce safer communities as well as safer roads.

“A clear and visible presence is a deterrent itself to ensure better standards of driving, as well as sending a warning signal to criminals that the chances of being caught are higher than before.

“Most traffic cops catch other crimes in the act, such as discovering stolen goods, through routine stops. Similarly, a camera can spot the speeding driver, but it can’t stop them if they are under the influence of drink or drugs.

“Investment in traffic officers does more than improve road safety, it produces safer neighbourhoods too.”

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