PCC says ‘one more death on our roads is one too many’ at landmark Road Safety Summit

A new Roads Policing Team has been announced for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, alongside a new approach to tackle careless driving and £340k worth of investment for road safety projects.

There were 1,286 people killed or seriously injured on the roads of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight between October 2024 and September 2025. (Source: ONS – DfT Reported Road Casualty Statistics, Sept 2025)

Road safety is a top priority for the Commissioner, with around 30,000 people killed or seriously injured on the roads nationally every year.

The most common causes of collisions are speeding, distracted driving, drink and drug driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

A Road Safety Summit hosted by the Commissioner focused on how careless and inconsiderate driving will be added to the list of leading causes of collisions that devastate lives.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said “One person’s actions behind the wheel can have a devastating impact in a split second, which is why I am focused on making the roads across our two counties safer with more investment to support proactive roads policing.

“The Roads Policing Unit work hard to tackle the constant challenges posed by dangerous drivers who are speeding, being anti-social and posing a danger on our roads.

“Their new focus on combatting careless driving and the funding for road safety projects will together play a part in making our roads safer.

“One death on our roads is one too many. Younger and older drivers are particularly at risk, and careless driving is a common cause of incidents casing death or serious injury.

“Speeding remains a huge concern for communities which is why I have made funding available for councils to apply for yellow fixed cameras on the roads that worry them the most.

“To further support communities, I’ve awarded over £300k for speed indicator signs, digital road signs, Community Speedwatch schemes, and projects to educate groups on road safety.”

The PCC made the announcement at her Road Safety Summit she was hosting, joined by Chief Constable Alexis Boon.

The Chief said adding careless driving to the list of the most common causes of collisions means the force’s new Tasking Team will now focus on the ‘Fatal Five’.

Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: “Our new Tasking Team will be a dedicated group of officers, focused on tackling criminality and dangerous driving across our roads. This team will prioritise motorists committing the Fatal Five offences, which are among the leading causes of collisions that devastate lives.

“Our roads policing officers see first-hand the trauma these incidents cause, and we are determined to reduce the number of families whose lives are torn apart by crashes that are entirely preventable. The Tasking Team will also act as a specialist resource, supporting colleagues across the force to disrupt offenders who use vehicles and our road network to facilitate criminal activity.

“Alongside enforcement, the team will work closely with our partners to continue educating motorists across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, an essential part of making our roads safer for everyone. It is vital to recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility. Whether we are commuting, heading to the shops, or doing the school run, everyone has the right to use the roads without fear of injury.”