Could cameras make '˜lethal' road safer?

The police and crime commissioner revealed that, for the first time in many years, fatal accidents across Bedfordshire are now increasing.

He said: “There is a real issue about road safety.

“We are still looking at the data to see if there are any patterns or any common themes. We know on a general basis there are four fatal factors behind most accidents – speed, seatbelts, substances and distraction.

“You look at most fatal accidents and serious injury accidents and you will see one of those factors in the overwhelming majority.”

On January 12, married couple Martin and Evelyn Spratt, of Buckden, near St Neots, were killed when they were involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the A421.

Martin, aged 70 and Evelyn, aged 68, were among those caught up in a collision along the eastbound carriageway near the A6 junction involving four cars and two lorries.

The pair suffered multiple injuries and their inquests were due to be opened by county coroner Tom Osborne yesterday (Wednesday).

One man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed by police until May.

On Christmas Day, a father and his three year old son were killed when they were involved in a single vehicle crash between the Marsh Keys and Marston junctions.

Speaking exclusively to the T&C, Mr Martins said: “Yes, I’m concerned that it’s rapidly becoming a lethal stretch of road.

“It does strike me that it’s a busy stretch of road that doesn’t have any enforcement structure on it.

“I know cameras aren’t popular but they do calm people’s driving behaviour.”

The T&C is awaiting the police’s response to a Freedom of Information request asking for crash figures for fatal, serious and slight injuries that Bedfordshire Police have been called to in the last year.

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