THE government needs to bring in more stringent punishments, such as confiscating and crushing cars, to tackle the perennial issue of drivers using Island roads as a racetrack, according to a former police inspector.
At this time of year, with roads typically dry and Islanders often sleeping with bedroom windows open, it is not uncommon to hear cars driving past at high speed, with several parishes citing this as a major issue.
St John Constable Andy Jehan said that late-night racers were “a massive problem” in his parish.
He said: “They are very clever; I was out walking one evening and we saw three cars speed pass us at L’Auberge du Nord and they switched their rear lights off as they went past so you couldn’t see their number plates.”
And St John centenier Andy Bisson, a former full-time police inspector, said that while speeding “is not a new issue”, the rise of social media has led to racers being able to change tack quickly to avoid detection, making the job of catching them even more difficult.
He said: “What has changed is that people involved can coordinate their activities on social media, and complainants can post on social media too, so that more people know it is happening.”
“There are certainly more people involved in high-speed driving now and we do go on regular patrols, linking with other honorary colleagues and the States of Jersey Police. But it is very difficult to police – all it needs is for one scouting car driving at normal speeds to spot a check and then their route will change.”
He said that forces cannot pursue cars because “that puts everyone involved at risk”.
Discussing stronger deterrents for those caught speeding, Mr Bisson continued: “My personal view is that the government needs to lead through new legislation which brings in more stringent penalties. In some countries, a car can be taken off the offender, squashed up and put on display as a deterrent. Often, these cars have a lot of money spent on them, so you are hitting the speeders where it hurts.
“If you can get to the root of the problem and tackle the core group of people, then that will help, in my opinion.”
Last week, St Ouen chef de police Robert Hall told the Royal Court, during its Visite Royal to the parish, that high-speed racers was that honorary force’s principal issue.
He said: “Our biggest problem – partially a post-Covid legacy – involves traffic issues and, in particular, a minority who persist in treating our roads as a racetrack.”
He added: “We are working with our partners in the States of Jersey Police to identify those responsible and we have developed our own measures to defeat what has become a highly organised activity.”
Mr Hall declined to share with the Court what those new measures would be, keeping the force’s hand close to its chest.
One new weapon in the police’s armoury will be a new specialist camera which is due to be deployed at some this year, although when, where and how is staying a closely guarded secret.
Earlier this year, Assistant Home Affairs Minister Richard Vibert told the States Assembly that the current road law “would allow for the operation of this new speed detection device” on Island roads.
The camera is being leased for around £35,000 a year to avoid buying equipment which may become out of date. The lease agreement includes the camera, operator training, maintenance, calibration, and supporting computer systems.
In February, the Government published its first Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan, which covers 2025 to 2034, which had a key aim to use technology to “address high-speed, high-risk drivers.”
It said: “While many drivers adhere to posted speed limits, some drive at excessive speeds, creating a serious risk of road harm to not only themselves but to other road users.
“To address this, we are exploring the use of advanced technology to discourage high-risk, high harm driving behaviour.”
It added: “Tools like safety cameras, which can automate speed enforcement, can help identify inappropriate speeds and driving behaviour as well as habitual high-speed offenders.
“By focusing enforcement on areas with the greatest risk, we can create a strong deterrent effect that encourages responsible driving across the network.”
