Humberside: Devastating loss for families as 19 people lost their lives on the roads of Humberside in the first five months of 2019.

Message from Humberside Police:-

This year we have had 19 fatalities on the roads of our area in 2019, an increase on the number of people who died in the same period in both 2018 and 2017.*

Each of those deaths has meant devastation and loss for local families.

Whilst there is no single reason for the increase in people killed on our roads, the majority of them involved a combination of speed, distraction (including through mobile phone use), drink or drug use and failing to wear a seatbelt.

As the summer approaches and more people use our roads on motorbikes, in cars, on pedal cycles and towing caravans to enjoy the countryside and head to our coast, Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson, Head of our Special Operations Unit said, “The number of people being killed on our roads in circumstances that could have been prevented is nothing short of a human tragedy.

“My officers have had to deliver the most devastating news and supported families whose loved ones have been killed or seriously injured and often a criminal investigation and prosecution follows that often leads to imprisonment.

“We carry out a lot of vital work to prevent fatal collisions which cannot succeed without our partners, such as those at Safer Roads Humber.  Together we aim to make sure that road users can be safe and those who commit offences are identified and prosecuted.

“We know, for example, that motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on our country roads and we will be carrying out both visible and covert enforcement along our key road networks throughout the year.

“We make no apologies for our enforcement patrols and for the approach we will take in dealing with those who pose a risk on the roads to others.

“Speed detection plays a vital part in this, as do road-side checks. We continue to work in our communities at events in schools, colleges and workplaces, giving special attention to vulnerable groups such as cyclists.

“We will do everything we can to keep our roads safe, but everyone reading this has a vital part to play in keeping themselves and others safe too.

“We don’t want to have to give any more news that rips families apart.

“Share the road and consider all road users, drive to the conditions remember that the ‘Fatal Four’ of drink driving, inappropriate speed, distracted driving such as using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt are all things we know cause deaths on our roads.  Please help us keep our roads safe.”

*2017 – 11 people lost their lives in the same period. 2018 – 15 people lost their lives in the same period