Roads Policing

Please, stay safe on Suffolk's roads.

Forty-seven people died on the county's roads in 2006 and hundreds more were seriously injured. Thousands of motorists each year receive fines for putting themselves and others in danger by ignoring the rules of the road.

Reducing these numbers is a top priority for Suffolk Constabulary and officers countywide are focusing on those motorists who choose to ignore the law by:

•  speeding;
•  failing to wear their seatbelts;
•  drink and/or drug driving; and
•  using mobile phones while driving.

The simple fact is that as long as there are motorists who break the law and ignore advice, people will continue to die and be seriously injured on Suffolk's roads.

2007: The stats

39 people died on Suffolk's roads
2576 people were fined for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
3480 people were fined for seatbelt offences
4112 people were caught and fined by a police officer for speeding*

* this figure does not include tickets issued to motorists recorded speeding by a safety camera"

Monthly police enforcement figures

Enforcement results January 2008 (pdf)

Enforcement results February 2008 (pdf)

IF YOU...

Drink and drive... you are more likely to be caught than ever before. Drinking and driving is socially unacceptable, but still there is a minority of motorists who believe they can get away with it.

Alcohol affects reaction times and judgement of speed and distance.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, but there is no sure way of judging whether you are under the limit.

Police also target people who drive after taking drugs, which can have just as dangerous an effect on drivers.

Think... Driving while over the limit carries a penalty of up to six months in prison, a fine of up to £5000 and a minimum driving ban of one year.

Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Drive while using a hand-held mobile phone... you are a menace. Driving requires your full concentration. Can you honestly said that you can drive and react properly while concentrating on a conversation with just one hand on the wheel?

Taking or making a call while on the move can distract you enough to cause a collision.

Pull over to a safe location first. Similarly, don't fiddle with car stereos, maps etc while driving, for the same reason.

Think... If you are caught using a hand-held mobile phone in your car, it could land you a fine of up to £1000. A conviction for careless driving can attract a fine of £2,500, points on your licence, and even a disqualification.

Wear a seatbelt, it could save your life... It's as simple as that. If you have a collision without your belt on, you may be thrown from your car of hit the windscreen with catastrophic force.

Wear your seatbelt on every trip, even if it is just round the corner. Also, make sure your children are safely secured, in line with existing legislation.

Think... It costs nothing to put on your seatbelt.

Speed... you put yourself and other road users at risk. Speed limits are there for a very good reason - to give motorists time to react to any potential hazards and reduce the seriousness of injuries is a collision happens. If people did not speed, collisions would reduce and fewer drivers would face the inconvenience of a fine, points on their licence and increased insurance premiums.

Think... A fixed penalty notice for speeding will cost you £60 and three points on your licence.