The implementation of the Crime and Disorder Act has also served to focus on the need for co-operation with other agencies as well as underlining the importance which residents rate road crime such as speeding in their communities. Speed enforcement for instance is targeted through reference to casualty history and speed data relating to specific sites. This focus on data enables finite resources to be used to directly address casualty reduction and results measured over time. The existence of the RCR Group as a regional body serves to promote a consistent approach to our casualty reduction activities.
Consistency is an important issue for the Police who have to operate across a wide area.
In this context we will continue to encourage Highway authorities to take a consistent and wide area approach to speed management both in terms of physical restrictions and speed limits. The Government's speed review has rightly highlighted the need for limits to be reasonable in order that any Police action can be seen to be fair and undertaken for a good reason. The role of the ACPO Traffic Committee also serves to promote a consistent enforcement policy across the country which recognises an element of discretion for our officers. Persuading drivers to kill their speed in the region depends on education and encouragement but law enforcement has a large part to play. The emphasis which is placed on enforcement has already contributed to the significant reductions in road deaths and serious injuries in the South East.