The Isle of Wight Police, as part of their ongoing efforts to promote road safety, have released their monthly update on the speed enforcement work carried out by the Safer Roads Unit across the island.

The Safer Roads Unit operates within the broader Joint Operations Unit (JOU), serving Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and the Thames Valley. Their mission is to address various driving standards issues, with speeding being a prominent concern among the island’s residents.

In December of the past year, the Safer Roads Unit conducted operations at 20 different locations across the Isle of Wight on 30 separate occasions. During these operations, 58 speeding drivers were apprehended, marking a significant reduction compared to the previous month. In November, 167 speeding motorists were caught during 32 visits to 20 locations.

Speeding is considered one of the ‘Fatal Four,’ which are the leading causes of serious and fatal injury collisions. The other three factors in the ‘Fatal Four’ include using a mobile phone while driving, driving without a seatbelt, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To combat these issues, the Joint Operations Unit (JOU) launched Operation Holly across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and the Thames Valley in December. This operation specifically targeted drink and drug-impaired drivers.

The police emphasize the importance of public cooperation in reporting issues related to speeding and poor driving standards. Such reports enable law enforcement to identify problem areas and continue targeting offending drivers effectively. Reports can be made by calling 101 or visiting the police website here.

While not all reports may result in an immediate police response, the information gathered is used to build a comprehensive intelligence picture. This data informs the deployment of various police teams, including the Roads Policing Unit, dual-skilled Roads Policing/Armed Response Vehicle officers, Neighbourhoods teams, or District Policing Team officers, as part of Operation Mile.