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Find your Local Bobby

Safer Roads

Working together to reduce harm, promote safety and protect communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

 

 

Road Safety is one of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

As one of the key areas for the force, there is a focus across the two counties to take action against speeding drivers, road users under the influence of drink/drugs, illegal car meets and anti-social driving, as well as cracking down on the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes.

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

Rural communities are encouraged to use Hants Snap to submit reports of crimes and suspected criminal activity on our roads. Hants Snap – Report an Incident | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

The Commissioner hosted a Road Safety Summit in March 2026, bringing together senior police leaders, Roads Policing Unit’s, local authorities, Highways Authorities, volunteer and charity groups, as well as key stakeholders in a drive to improve safety on our roads.

Speed & Safety

Community Speedwatch success stories:

In March 2024 at the annual PCC Awards, the Community Speedwatch Chandler’s Ford group won the Police Volunteer of the Year Award.

Its co-ordinator, Derek, explains their role: “As volunteers, we monitor the traffic in the local area because speeding is dangerous in our communities.

“It’s very rewarding to help out in the community and we are also able to free up the time of police officers.”

Community Speedwatch is a national initiative where members of local communities, with the support and supervision of their local police, record details of speeding vehicles using approved detection devices. Registered keepers of vehicles breaking the speed limit are contacted by letter explaining the potential risks and consequences of their dangerous behaviour. Repeat offenders receive a visit from the local police and could face criminal prosecution.

Winter driving advice

  • Listen to weather reports and warnings, and if possible, avoid driving in snow
  • Avoid setting off when it’s snowing heavily or is forecast to
  • Prepare your vehicle for driving in snow: make sure it’s well maintained and that your tyres are in good condition
  • Make sure there is anti-freeze in your radiator and windscreen washer bottle
  • Keep an ice scraper and de-icer in your vehicle, as well as a shovel
  • If going on longer journeys, have a warm blanket and spare warm clothing with you, including appropriate footwear
  • Use the highest gear you can for moving off
  • Avoid any sudden braking or steering through good forward planning and adequate safety margin

 

General advice

  • Maintain your vehicle and carry out basic safety checks prior to any journey
  • Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Don’t drive tired – take regular breaks on long journeys
  • Pass wide and slow when overtaking vulnerable road users such as horse riders, cyclists or walkers – watch the Hampshire Constabulary video at the top of this page.
  • Adjust your driving to suit the weather conditions
  • Speed is one of the main factors in fatal road incidents – the speed limit is the absolute maximum and it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all conditions
  • Read the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards
  • Keep your distance to allow you time to react
  • Always check for bikes (motorcyclists and cyclists)
  • Follow the highway code

Seatbelts

Approximately 2,000 people a year are saved by wearing seat belts.  Drivers caught without a seatbelt face on-the-spot fines of £100. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500

  • Always wear a seatbelt. In a crash you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t.
  • Wear your seatbelt correctly so it can offer you the best possible protection in a crash.

 

Child car seats

All children up to 135cm tall (around 4’5″), or the age of 12, whichever comes first, seated in the front or rear of cars, vans and other goods vehicles must travel in the correct child restraint for their weight with very few exceptions

For more information and tips on the safe fitting of car seats visit Hampshire County Council’s road safety pages 

 

Drink & Drug Driving

Op Holly/Op Limit: Operation Holly & Operation Limit are our drink and drug driving campaigns.

In 2024, Hampshire & IOW Constabulary made a total of 322 arrests during Operation Limit.

There were 152 motorists arrested on suspicion of drink driving and 170 arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

The figures are an increase on 2023 when a total of 301 arrests were made across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Anti-social driving

Op Chromium: “Op Chromium” targets illegal, dangerous car meets and anti-social vehicle use across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Set up in 2022, it involves officers confiscating vehicles involved in activities like drifting and racing, issuing warnings, and taking action against drivers who break the law, with the goal of ensuring public safety.

Op Chromium latest news

Shocking footage of dangerous driving at car meet released as police update on recent court successes:

More information:

E-scooter Enforcement

Op Crush:    The Police and Crime Commissioner signed a contract to enable the force to enhance the powers of its officers by using existing legislation to give them the option to destroy any e-scooter or e-motorcycle that is being used in crime. The force then launched Operation Crush, an initiative which has enhanced police powers to seize and destroy e-scooters and e-motorcycles used illegally or in criminal activities.

Mobile phones

You’re four times more likely to crash if you use a mobile phone while driving

It’s illegal to ride a motorcycle or drive using hand-held phones or similar devices. The rules are the same if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.

The penalties for holding and using your phone while driving is 6 points and £200.

  • Put your phone away before driving so you won’t be tempted to use it.
  • Don’t call other people when they’re driving.
  • Use hands free devices responsibly.

Watch Hampshire Constabulary’s video on the consequences of using a mobile phone when driving here.

 

Motorcycle safety

Injuries to motorcyclists are out of proportion to their presence on our roads. Motorcyclists are just 1% of total road traffic, but account for 19% of all road user deaths.

  • Wear the right gear
  • Anticipate the actions of others
  • Be alert, observant and ready to stop if the unexpected happens
  • Position yourself in the safest and best place to maximise your visibility of potential hazards
  • Take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so you know where others are and what they’re doing
  • Watch out for slip hazards, such as white line markings, drain covers  or fuel spills

For further advice visit Think!

Education

A free course aimed at educating young and inexperienced motorcyclists so they can ride safely on our roads has been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

SmartRide combines classroom learning and observed rides with our Roads Policing motorcyclists and is targeted specifically for young motorcyclists who have not yet learned the skills that older drivers have.

The first course ran on Sunday 28 June 2026 and 100% of the students gave feedback stating they feel safer on the roads going forward.

The next course will be held on Saturday 18 July 2026 . To book your spot, please sign up here:  https://forms.office.com/e/DbG1ettbnu?origin=lprLink

Police officer speaks to young motorcyclists

Cyclists and pedestrians

Cyclists

Riding a bike is safe – nationally the number of cyclists killed on roads has fallen to its lowest level on record since 2010.

While it important that all road users look out for each other there are steps we can take to help keep ourselves safer when cycling

  • ‘Hang back’ at junctions to avoid getting caught between a lorry and left hand turn
  • Avoid riding up the inside of large vehicles, like lorries or buses, where you might not be seen
  • Wear appropriate visible and reflective clothing and a helmet
  • Make sure you have working lights before you set out, if you are or will be cycling at night
  • Signal to show drivers what you plan to do
  • Follow the Highway Code including observing ‘stop’ and ‘give way’ signs and traffic lights

Find out about cycle training programme Bikeability.

 

Pedestrians

Be seen – wear some white, bright, or light clothing, particularly on dull days or in the evening.  Take a torch with you if you know you’ll be walking on unlit roads.

Avoid distractions – pay attention to other road users and don’t be distracted by friends, mobile phones or mp3 players.

Is your vision roadworthy?

Our Roads Policing Unit have been reminding motorists of their legal responsibility to ensure their vision is roadworthy during ‘Operation Dark Nights’, a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) road safety campaign which took place from 27 October 2025 – 09 November 2025.

All motorists must ensure their vision meets minimum eyesight standards every time they get behind the wheel no matter how far, or, what time of day, they travel.

5% of drivers would fail 20m number plate test, while from 2013-24, police revoked 274 licences in Hants & IOW for drivers with eyesight below the minimum standards.

Top tips

  • Regularly test your vision by reading a car number plate from 20 metres away (that’s about five car lengths).
  • Have routine sight tests – once every two years (or earlier if recommended by your optometrist or you notice a change in your vision).
  • If you’ve been prescribed eyewear for driving, wear it!
  • Wear glasses or contact lenses with an up-to-date prescription.
  • Clean your spectacles and ensure they are scratch-free. Smudges or scratches can cause excessive glare or visual discomfort from low autumn sun.
  • Keep your windscreen clean inside and out and check your wiper blades for wear.
  • Check your car’s lights are working properly.

Driving with vision below minimum standards, could land you a £1,000 fine, 3 points on your licence and potential disqualification.

Under legislation known as Cassie’s Law, drivers who fail a roadside number plate test can have their driving licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them unsafe to be on the road. Visit www.VisionAndDriving.info for more information

Get Involved and Stay Updated

Volunteer with Community Speed Watch speedwatch@hampshire.police.uk or call the non-emergency police number 101.

For local team information, contact your parish or town council or your Local Bobby or PCSO Look up Local Neighbourhood Policing Team – Hampshire Alert for information on how to join or set up a scheme in your area.

Resources & Toolkits