THE FIGHT to keep cash raised from reckless, dangerous and careless driving be kept in the region has ramped up a gear.
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, has joined the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, calling on the government for the region to keep money raised from fixed penalty notices.
Simon Foster and Richard Parker have written to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, sayingthe cash would be invested into enhanced safety measures on the region’s roads, educational programmes rolled out and additional enforcement – cutting the number of people killed or seriously injured.
The PCC has been calling for the money to be ringfenced after overwhelming backing from the public during a consultation last year.
He has now teamed up with the Mayor in a bid to make his plan a reality – and invited the Home Secretary to meet as soon as possible.
The letter warns there is a “road safety crisis” in the West Midlands, with more than 1,000 people killed or seriously injured each year – and says retaining the fine money would help bring that number down.
It says: “Retaining all road safety related fixed penalty fines locally would enable the West Midlands to improve road safety through targeted enforcement and education, reducing these preventable tragedies.
“This approach would contribute to funding additional average speed cameras, expanded police enforcement, and community safety programs.
“With fewer accidents there will be a reduction in delays for businesses, reduced fuel costs, and lower insurance premiums. In addition, the NHS would also benefit from decreased emergency treatment expenses and long-term care costs associated with life-changing injuries.”
The PCC, together with the Mayor and other partners, has launched a Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030, aiming to halve the number of people killed or seriously injured by 2030.
The letter adds: “While some, inaccurately and mischievously, argue that local retention of fines could incentivise excessive enforcement, our commitment to Vision Zero prioritises investment into road safety above revenue.
“Our focus is on preventing and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and reducing the number of people who are avoidably and tragically killed and seriously injured on our roads, not on generating funds.”
