Hemel motorists urged to drive carefully on low speed streets as United Nations launches global road safety campaign

Motorists in Hertfordshire are being urged by police to drive carefully on low speed streets as the United Nations launches a global road safety campaign today (May 17).

Global Road Safety Week runs until Sunday, May 23, and promotes low speeds in areas where people and traffic mix. The aim is to make streets safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for all.

Drivers are more likely to encounter cyclists and pedestrians of all ages in built up areas and must be vigilant for potential hazards and sudden changes in circumstances. Children walking to and from school can be particularly vulnerable.

In the past two years, 168 pedestrians were seriously injured or killed on the Hertfordshire’s roads. Of these, 34 were children.

Chief Inspector Simon Tabert said: “Speed limits are in place for a reason. We want our roads to be safe for everyone: whether you’re a motorist, a cyclist or a pedestrian.

"It goes without saying that the faster you drive, the less time you have to react and any mistake by you or another is amplified by that speed.

“Never exceed the limit for the road you’re on and please make sure your speed is appropriate for the driving conditions.

"The limits are the highest speed considered safe for that road – but it is often safer to travel at lower speeds, such as in bad weather and where there are pedestrians or cyclists, particularly children.

“Driving within speed limits can give motorists precious extra time; a few seconds might not seem much but it can be enough to prevent a collision; and if you do collide with someone, the slower your speed, the less likely you are to kill or seriously injure them or yourself.

“In conjunction with this national road safety campaign, our officers will be conducting additional activity across the county throughout the week to ensure that motorists are staying within the speed limits and driving safely.”

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has funded two new road safety camera vans in response to public requests for more action to be taken against speeding motorists.

The vans are being deployed at sites identified as areas of concern by local residents, businesses and partner organisations.

They are particularly focusing on 30mph zones, and locations where speeding is an issue but which have not necessarily involved deaths or serious injuries.

Mr Lloyd said: “Speeding and road safety are two of the topics of concern I hear about most from the people of Hertfordshire.

"The public want a flexible and robust approach taken to speeding on all roads across the county; from remote villages to city streets and from rural roads to motorways.

“These vans are a response to that demand for action. They provide a supplementary and reassuring high visibility presence, improving the quality of life for local communities.”

Officers across Hertfordshire will be running proactive speed operations, ensuring that everyone is driving safely and within the speed limits.

They will also be looking out for the fatal four: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

You can use Hertfordshire Police's community voice platform ‘echo’ to let them know what you think they should be prioritising in your area.

Officers will be using echo feedback to identify speeding hotspots that have been highlighted by local residents.

You do not need to provide any personal information, and all feedback is completely anonymous – though please try to be specific if you are referring to certain areas or streets.