Involved in a collision

Accidents are often unexpected and scary situations. If you are involved in a serious accident where someone is injured you should call 999 immediately.

If you are the driver you must:

• Stop and remain at the scene for a reasonable time
• Give your name and address, vehicle registration number, and details of the owner (if different) to anyone with reasonable grounds for asking for these details
• If you do not exchange those at the scene you must report the accident at a police station as soon as possible and within 24 hours in any case.

When another person involved is injured you need to:

• Produce your certificate of insurance to anyone at the scene having reasonable grounds to see it
• If you don’t have your certificate with you then you may take it to the police station when you report the incident (within 24 hours). This must be produced within seven days.

In line with the national Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Roads Policing Strategy for 2010, Suffolk’s Road Policing Unit will focus on the following areas:

• Reducing road casualties
• Denying criminals use of the roads by enforcing the law
• Tackling the threat of terrorism
• Reducing anti-social use of vehicles
• Enhancing public confidence and reassurance by patrolling the roads.

 

Reducing road casualties

Suffolk Police plan to reduce the number of those Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) in Suffolk during 2010/11 to less than 300.

How will we seek to achieve this target?

Work with partners on the Suffolk Roadsafe Action Plan in order to target the “Fatal Four” issues that cause causalities on the county’s roads.

These are:

• Speeding
• Not wearing seatbelts
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Drink driving.

We will use a combination of education, engineering and enforcement to tackle these.

In we will use statistical data to target groups identified as vulnerable to being a victim or offender in relation to KSI’s. For example, pedestrians, drivers and motorcyclists of certain ages, abilities and experience.

The Roads Policing Unit will predominantly use enforcement to achieve a reduction in casualties but will support education initiatives where possible. An example of this is the Bikesafe course run by the unit. Officers will also advise and educate motorists at the roadside when carrying out their duties.

The department also has some influence with suggestions in relation to engineering of the counties roads.

Suffolk Police will also continue to build upon the restorative justice initiative for traffic offences. This currently involves the Drivewise course for those drivers caught speeding who are eligible for the course under the criteria set down, and likewise for those members of the public caught using a mobile phone while driving.