TRAFFIC POLICE TRY TO TAME DEADLY ROAD (From Warrington Guardian)

TRAFFIC POLICE TRY TO TAME DEADLY ROAD

TRAFFIC police have launched a life-saving campaign on one of the most dangerous roads in Cheshire.

The 23-mile stretch of A530 Middlewich Road between Northwich and Nantwich has seen 33 deaths in over 700 serious accidents during the last decade.

Now police have teamed up with the county council, Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and other local authorities in the county to focus on the road which last year was responsible for one sixth of all fatal crashes in Cheshire.

A two-month campaign, starting in May, will see both marked and unmarked vehicles patrolling the area with the force aeroplane providing support from the air.

Motorists with poor driving skills or habits will be stopped and given advice and those involved in crashes will be given the opportunity to avoid prosecution by attending a Driver Improvement Scheme.

The county council has pledged to help out by upgrading the road with better markings, altered bends and junctions, traffic calming and improved signage where necessary.

At the scheme's launch, Cheshire Assistant Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said the major causes of accidents were speeding and misjudging road conditions.

"It's a rural road so there is slow moving agricultural traffic and people get frustrated, try to overtake and drive too fast to make up time," he said.

"Each fatal road accident costs the community over £1million, and it costs individual families years of heartache."

He added in the last 10 years injury crashes on the A530 have cost the economy nearly £57million.

"The agencies involved in the campaign believe that by taking action now, this picture can be addressed, but it requires the support of the many thousands of drivers who travel along it," he said.

"For the safety of all road users, drivers should think carefully about the possible consequences of careless, inconsiderate driving. A moment's thoughtlessness can result in tragedy."

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