AA calls for more ‘cops in cars’
Wed, 25 Sept 2024
The AA wants the home secretary to step up the recruitment of new roads police officers after its research revealed a huge shortfall in the number of ‘cops in cars’.
There are currently 4215 traffic officers in England and Wales – which is down 1022, or more than a fifth, from 2016’s total.
In its manifesto, Labour pledged to recruit thousands of new police officers to tackle neighbourhood crime.
The AA says that 1000 of these new recruits should form part of the road traffic section of police forces across the country.
It comes as research shows more than 1 in 2 drivers now think they can get away with careless driving due to the lack of a police presence.
More than two fifths of drivers surveyed also believe that offences such as using a handheld phone behind the wheel, drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a dangerous vehicle are all going unpunished due to the reduced police presence.
While new AI cameras can help here, just 15% of drivers believe that roads policing can be carried out by cameras alone.
"Public opinion suggests that too many people are simply getting away with it. It’s clear that the public wants to see more bobbies on the beat, so the government’s ambition to increase the number of police officers is welcome," says AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens.
The AA believes that a clear and visible presence is a deterrent itself to ensure better standards of driving, as well as sending a warning signal to criminals that the chances of being caught are higher than before.
"Most traffic cops catch other crimes in the act, such as discovering stolen goods, through routine stops. Similarly, a camera can spot the speeding driver, but it can’t stop them if they are under the influence of drink or drugs," adds Cousens.
My family has had an NIP for speeding but we don't know who was driving at the time - what can we do?
