Young and old drivers in South West focus of road safety campaign

Drivers considered to be high risk are the main focus of a new road safety campaign.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the Fatal Five campaign aimed to highlight the biggest issues causing crashes on the region’s roads with a series of events taking place in April.

It said the five most common causes of crashes were not wearing a seatbelt, impairment such as drink or drug-driving, speeding, being distracted and careless driving.

The force said the campaign would focus on educating the youngest and oldest motorists, which officers said were the most high risk groups, along with how keeping fit could help driving skills and avoid crashes.

Police said data suggested older drivers were involved in a quarter of fatalities with the most common factors being failing to look properly and failing to judge another person’s path or speed.

With younger drivers, the main issues related to speeding and distraction, including using a mobile phone, said officers.

Police also said staying fit would be another focus of the campaign as a person’s age, experience, physical fitness and eyesight were “critical factors” to their driving ability.