40 speeding tickets issued in one day as police hit Birmingham roads after two tragic deaths
Dozens of dangerous drivers were caught speeding in one day as part of a West Midlands Police crackdown. Speeding motorists were clocked today, September 22, as the force increases patrols after a fatal week in Birmingham.
There have been urgent calls for a crackdown from campaigners demanding action from every city and regional authority on reckless driving, with a stark warning it could be "any one of us." Road teams are increasing patrols after two deaths on city roads last week left the community in shock.
On Thursday September 19, a 53-year-old man died after being struck by a lorry on Pershore Road at the height of rush hour. Just the day before, a motorcyclist died following a hit-and-run on Coventry Road on Wednesday afternoon. A 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fatal incident on September 19, police confirmed.
READ MORE: Inside West Midlands Police cells as nuisance driving continues after fatal week
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We reported this weekend how officers arrested a number of people for driving offences after increased patrols across the region. Traffic officers revealed on Sunday September 22 issued 40 speeding tickets, seized two vehicles and reported ten drivers for dangerous parking in one day.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "Our traffic officers have continued to carry out speeding operations across Birmingham today, recovering vehicles, issuing speeding tickets and reported several drivers for various offences.
"Officers were in Pershore Road, Gravelly Hill and Coventry Road as we target drivers in our bid to make our roads safer. During today's operation our Traffic officers issued 40 speeding tickets.
"Two vehicles were seized for having no insurance, one stolen vehicle was located, and one driver will be prosecuted for careless driving. 10 drivers were reported for parking in a dangerous position, which forced pedestrians to use the carriageway to pass.
"A man was also arrested following a sting on a vehicle that attempted to make off, and it was found to have been involved in a theft yesterday (Saturday)." Police shared their goal to reduce road death and serious injury to zero under Vision Zero.
Vision Zero sees West Midlands Police tackling the “fatal four” and preventing harm to the most vulnerable road users. The fatal four includes:
Speeding
Drink and drug driving
Using a mobile phone while driving
Not wearing a seatbelt
Campaigners have called for a "state of emergency" to be declared in Birmingham, pushing for a "sustained effort" from every city and regional authority on reckless driving. You can be read more on that here.