THE States police are trying to change driver behaviour in a bid to address the ‘enduring concern’ of speeding and driving offences, according to the head of the force.
Police chief Robin Smith said they were working with a company specialising in behavioural science to explore new initiatives to accompany traditional methods of speed enforcement at ‘hot spot’ locations across the Island. Mr Smith was speaking following the the jailing of 21-year-old James Taylor, who ‘used his vehicle as a weapon’ in a hit and run in St John in June last year.
‘Road traffic matters and especially speed-related issues are an enduring concern for Islanders and the police. Recent court cases illustrate States of Jersey Police’s determination to address those concerns,’ he said.
Mr Smith said that Inspector Callum O’Connor, who leads on roads policing, had been meeting senior government officials who were keen to support the delivery of an effective roads policing strategy.
‘What we are all determined to do is turn strategy into delivery. Enforcement at key “hot spot” locations, supported by our honorary policing colleagues, is a vitally important deterrent. We are also exploring other opportunities and last month senior officers met with a company specialising in behavioural science to looks at ways to change driving behaviour,’ Mr Smith said.
His comments were endorsed by Inspector O’Connor, who said he was fully supportive of the Royal Court’s robust sentencing policy in yesterday’s case, in which the 21-year old was jailed for 12 months and also received a three-year driving ban. He said it reflected the impact that the incident had on the victim, who, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae said in court, could have been seriously injured in the incident.
‘It should be a stark reminder to those who continually speed and drive in a manner that poses a risk to Islanders that the courts are willing to impose strict sentencing for such offences,’ said Insp O’Connor.
Last summer, police announced an Islandwide initiative with Driver and Vehicle Standands intended to reduce road accidents caused by speeding and poor vehicle maintenance.
It followed the launch in 2020 of Operation Canvas, a crackdown on speeding drivers and those who make illegal modifications to their cars, such as making their exhausts noisier, lowering their suspension and tampering with their registration plates.
Insp O’Connor warned that those responsible for putting others at risk through such behaviour could expect similar attention over the coming months.
‘As the States of Jersey Police move into 2023, we will continue to focus our efforts on people who continually speed, as well as those who regularly drive in a manner which poses a risk to all those who use our island’s roads,’ the inspector said.
