Fatal accidents doubled during 2021 as Covid restrictions eased
The death toll on Suffolk's roads increased in 2021 when compared with 2020 - Credit: Archant
The death toll on Suffolk's roads this year has doubled when compared with the same period in 2020, new figures have revealed.
There were 20 fatalities from 20 crashes on the county's roads this year up to December 20, compared with 10 deaths from 10 collisions over the same time frame in 2020, Suffolk police said.
However, the country faced two national lockdowns and other measures, such as working from home, to try to curb the spread of coronavirus last year.
This meant there were fewer vehicles on the roads during 2020.
This year did see a lockdown of its own, but as restrictions eased, traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels and we saw more fatal crashes, sadly.
Putting the figure into context, there were 25 deaths on the county's roads in 2019.
A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “Reducing the number of collisions is a priority for the force and our partners. We aim to make this possible via a combination of education and enforcement.
“During lockdown we did see less traffic on the roads but gradually, as restrictions eased, we saw it return to almost normal levels.
"Sadly, this has meant there has been a rise in fatal road traffic collisions this year compared to the same period last year."
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The spokesman added that campaigns focusing on road safety are carried out throughout the year.
"Clearly any fatality on the county’s roads is one tragedy too many and the force is continuing to urge all motorists to concentrate on their driving and to be aware of other motorists and their surroundings," the spokesman said.
“The force carries out campaigns throughout the year targeting offences of speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.
"These are known as the ‘fatal four’ offences which make you more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision. At the start of December, the force launched its Christmas drink and drug driving campaign which involves targeted enforcement and increased messaging in order to make motorists aware of the risks and the consequences.”
