PCC says dangerous driving on notorious route is blighting thousands of lives

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has announced she’s spending over £600,000 on preventing reckless and dangerous driving in Portsmouth.

The money will be spent on 10 average speed cameras to help reduce speeding, anti-social vehicle use and reckless driving on Portsdown Hill.

She will be working alongside Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to ensure they are delivered as soon as possible.

Speaking at a public meeting in Farlington, the PCC said: “I’ve listened to the concerns of people living along Portsdown Hill and the surrounding areas and am taking action.

“The majority of road users use that route safely but a minority are making it increasingly hazardous and are putting lives at risk.

“There have been 61 injury incidents over the past five years, including four fatalities.

“It’s one of the most dangerous stretches of roads in Hampshire. One person’s actions can have a devastating impact in a split second.

“That’s why I believe the most effective way of making Portsdown Hill Road and James Callaghan Drive safer and changing behaviours is to install average speed cameras and implementing a 30mph limit.

“Other preventative measures in the area will also be considered.

“The noise pollution caused by motorbikes and cars is also proving unbearable and blights the lives of thousands of people.

“This behaviour is unacceptable and can’t go on.

“We’ve seen how hard Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary works to tackle the constant challenges posed by dangerous drivers who are speeding and being anti-social on our roads and I am fully committed in supporting them in their efforts.”

The PCC is determined to help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The launch of her £500,000 road safety fund and the new joint Safer Roads initiative, led by Roads Policing Teams, reinforces that.

The PCC is also hosting a Road Safety Summit in March which will bring together local councils, Highways, the police, and road user groups to share best practice and reinforce her commitment.

You can find more information on the PCC’s mission to make our roads safer here: Safer Roads – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner