Traffic officers are reminding people to ‘stay home and save lives’
after reports of drivers travelling at excessive speeds on the county’s
roads amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officers from South Yorkshire Police have attended two serious
collisions in the last 24 hours in which speed is believed to have been
a contributing factor.
Inspector Jason Booth of the Roads Policing Group said that anyone
breaking the law was risking placing unnecessary strain on the emergency
services and would be dealt with.
He said: “Please stay at home and off the roads unless you absolutely
have to travel.
“For anyone thinking of using our roads illegally, you are not only
risking lives but you are using valuable police or NHS resources by
committing dangerous offences.
“Your actions could have fatal consequences so please do your bit and
stay home to protect the emergency services and let us focus on those
who need our help.”
The government has said people should only leave their homes for the
following reasons:
shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which
must be as infrequent as possible;
one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or
with members of your household;
any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
travelling to and from work, but only where you cannot work from home.
Insp Booth added: “If you have to travel, please follow the rules of the
road – wear your seatbelt, put your mobile phone away and do not drink
and drive.
“The speed limits are there for a reason, no matter how many cars or
vehicles are on the road.
“The single most important action we can all take, in fighting
coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save
lives.”
Joanne Wehrle, manager of South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, said
the organisation would continue to relay important updates about road
use via social media – @safer_roads
“We know most people are following the very clear Government advice to
stay at home and we thank you for doing so,” she added.
“Our team will continue to issue updates about things like MOT
extensions and mobile safety camera locations to try and keep everyone
informed.
“But the main thing we can all do now is follow the guidance to stay at
home and only make essential journeys.”
For more information on the latest situation visit www.sysrp.co.uk or
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus