Police crackdown after too many road deaths

This December has proved one of the worst for road deaths in the Chad area in recent history - with six people dying in accidents across the area.
Floral tributes to Adam Smith and Guy Bennett on Main Road, Ravenshead.Floral tributes to Adam Smith and Guy Bennett on Main Road, Ravenshead.
Floral tributes to Adam Smith and Guy Bennett on Main Road, Ravenshead.

And with the figure doubling across the county to 12, Nottinghamshire Police has announced a zero-tolerance crack-down on reckless driving.

Since 16th December a dozen people have died and three more are in a critical condition in hospital as a result of collisions in the county.

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This figure accounts for 50 per cent of Nottinghamshire Police’s annual road death statistics in the last three weeks.

Superintendent Andy Hall, Head of Tactical Operations, said: “This month has been a terrible month on our road network.

“Despite offering safety advice to motorists in the run up to Christmas through the media and social media we have seen our worst festive period on the roads for many years.

“What is most concerning is the majority of these collisions could have been avoided.

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“As a result we have further stepped up our road patrols and will be actively seeking out and stopping anyone who is displaying erratic or potentially dangerous driving. If you are driving badly on our roads expect to get stopped and dealt with appropriately.”

The measure comes just a fortnight after three people lost their lives in a horrific crash in Mansfield Woodhouse. Teresa Mitchell (38) of Birks Road, Mansfield, Alan Dexter (47) of Northfield Avenue, Pleasley Vale, and Ricky Lee Goodall (24) of Barker Avenue, Skegby, all died following a smash involving a BMW, a Ford Ranger pick-up and a motorcycle on Debdale Lane on 20th December.

On Sunday Forty-year-old Neil Atkins (40) was killed when his car was involved in a three-vehicle smash with a lorry carrying horses and a silver Ford Zetec on Southwell’s Nottingham Road, near Brackenhurst College.

Blidworth teenage friends Adam Smith (18) and Guy Bennett (19) were tragicaly killed on 1st December when their car collided with a van in Ravenshead, while a man identified on social media as Andrew Duffill is understood to have been critically injured after ploughing into a tree in Edwinstowe on Boxing Day.

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Supt Hall, who used to head up the force’s crash investigation team, said drivers could avoid falling foul of the law simply by driving to the conditions of the road and within the speed limit.

He added: “Use your seatbelt, turn your mobile phones off and do not get behind the wheel if you have had a drink.

“I have personally dealt with the trauma and aftermath of too many serious collisions. I know how dreadful they can be for all involved.

“The fact that a number of families have been left to spend Christmas without their loved one is beyond words. Help us prevent further tragedies - drive responsibly.”

Report careless or drink drivers to police by phoning 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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