Road crime reporting

Aim: Reduced harm posed by drivers with increased detection of offences by cyclists and walkers

Challenge

  • Fear of road danger, inc. by speeding and careless drivers, deters many from cycling and walking
  • Law breaking by drivers is widespread but roads policing officers are few in number. As been said by Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox and others,

“the police cannot be everywhere all the time but the public can be anywhere anytime“

  • Traffic law enforcement is not a priority for senior police nor for local police
  • Anti social behaviour is not seen as including bad driving yet speeding had been the leading cause of ASB
  • Each police service is independent and
  • Cyclists and other road users can contribute to making roads safer by reporting unsafe driving

What needs to change

Road danger reduction

  • Better resourced teams with more staff
  • Improved training, including with cycling awareness
  • Fair and consistent charging decisions with offenders sanctioned
  • Better use of the intelligence being provided so that unsafe driving is deterred
  • Increased transparency and accountability
  • Better transparency of outcomes
  • Improved collaboration with community
  • Better engagement with submitters, including with feedback on No Further Actions

What AVZ is doing to help

  • Lobbying for it to be a priority for active travel campaigners, police and transport authorities
  • Coordinating a dedicated working group (it was dominating our monthly Roads Policing campaigner meetings) dedicated to:
    • Ensuring the experiences and voices of cyclist campaigners are coordinated and heard. Agreeing what best practice and minimum standards should look like.
      • Identifying changes needed at national and local level to support active travel.
    • Collating data and information on practices across the country
    • Highlighted good practice when we see it, e.g. transparency in Northamptonshire

More information

Research