The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Police have launched a new road safety campaign in the county urging road-users to ‘have a little patience.’
The initiative comes as 45 people have been killed on Lincolnshire’s roads over the last year.
A further 450 people have been seriously injured during the year.
The ‘Just have a little patience’ campaign was launched on Wednesday in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities.
“In the last year we’ve had nearly 500 families whose lives have been devastated by the impact of road collisions. Our officers have to knock on the door and deliver that news, to tell someone’s child, parent, brother or sister that their lives will be changed for ever,” said James Kirk, detective inspector in the serious collision investigation unit.
The majority of collisions on the roads are preventable with the main causes being in a hurry, failing to look properly and aggressive driving – all of which are intensified by speeding.
The new campaign is run in partnership with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and motorists can display bumper stickers to display ‘Just have a little patience’ theme.
“We have introduced a new roads policing team, launched Operation Snap to encourage residents to send us dashcam footage of dangerous driving and invested in cutting edge on-board cameras for our police cars. But despite these efforts, there is no substitute for careful driving, good road sense and patience on our roads. Please be careful. A car can be a dangerous weapon if it is used carelessly,” said Marc Jones, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
The bumper stickers can be collected at police stations around the county including Spalding, Boston, Stamford and Louth.
“This campaign is aimed at improving the driving standards of everyone in the county, as we often see serious road traffic collisions caused by impatience and poor driving.
“People should realise that a risky overtake might only take seconds off their journey. At this time of year we see lots of slower agricultural vehicles, please be patient and drive with care,” said Marc Gee, Inspector of the county’s Roads Policing Unit.
