Police issue warning after road deaths in Cheshire double

Police are urging road users to pay attention, drive carefully and drive to the condition of the road as we head into the winter months, following a rise in road deaths in Cheshire

The number of people who have lost their lives on Cheshire's roads between June and September this year has doubled in comparison to the same period in 2019.

Between June and September 2019 there were seven fatalities, compared with fourteen during the same period in 2020.

In recent years police have found that many collisions occur as a result of someone committing one of the Fatal 5 offences - careless driving, speeding, drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Inspector for Cheshire Police's Serious and complex collision investigation Unit, Steve Griffiths, said: "This time of year we usually see an increase in the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads. Winter months can present some challenging driving conditions.

"We want road users to be able to use the roads safely and prevent any further tragic collisions from occurring. Think before you overtake and make sure it is safe to do so, concentrate when pulling out of a junction, look out for cyclists and motorcyclists, leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front and drive appropriately for the road and weather conditions.

"We spend a considerable amount of time educating road users on the dangers of the Fatal 5 and we explain the consequences that one reckless decision on our roads can have – and now, more than ever, road users need to take note.

"Officers are out policing the roads 24 hours of the day 365 days of the year, and they will stop anyone they believe to be committing one of the Fatal 5 offences. We also actively encourage members of the public to submit dashcam footage and act on this information even after an incident may have occurred. We do not do this for the sake of it, we do it to save lives."

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Letitia Burke
Wednesday 14th October 2020 at 10:07 am
You literally take your life in your hands when crossing the junction Congleton Road/Macclesfield Road across from the Trafford Arms the white lines are barely recognisable and traffic comes at you from three directions. When is the Local Authority/Roads Deaprtment doing something about this before another accident happens!!
Shocking!!!
Yvonne Bentley
Wednesday 14th October 2020 at 11:33 am
These are shocking statistics! The country lanes such as Welsh Row and Artists Lane are used as high speed ‘rat runs’ where you take your life in your hands simply walking along the road or attempting to get off your property. I am pleased that the police have highlighted this, as in the past they have been reticent to address the National Speed Limits on these roads on the grounds that there are no recorded fatal or near fatal accidents! Hopefully they will be happy to take another look at this issue BEFORE any such tragic outcome.
Tony Haluradivth
Wednesday 14th October 2020 at 12:08 pm
Drug taking has increased exponentially thanks to lockdown and people are drug driving. The rise in these statistics I would say is horrifying and possibly as a result of the effects of lockdowns. We know that suicide rates have gone through the roof also.
Yvonne Bentley
Wednesday 14th October 2020 at 12:43 pm
Unfortunately Tony the people who drive at frightening speeds along these country lanes are more often drivers on their way to work or more worryingly, parents on a school run , both of whom desperate to save a few extra minutes by taking shortcuts at a wholly inappropriate speed!