Transport for London has issued a reminder to road users that, despite less traffic on the capital’s roads, ‘the speed limit always applies and speeding is not acceptable’.
TfL says ‘dangerous driving is putting additional strain on the NHS’, with average speeds in some areas have increased by more than 50% – and the Met Police have recorded ‘shocking speeds of over 130mph’ during enforcement activity.
The latest statistics show a 68% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads since 20 March.
However, TfL says that while there are fewer reported casualties, provisional data shows that when collisions occur, they are more likely to be serious or fatal – with drivers and motorcyclists showing the least significant fall in the most severe injuries.
Seven people have died on London’s roads since 20 March, including three motorcyclists and a cyclist.
Superintendent Andy Cox, from the Met’s Roads and Traffic Policing Command, said: “With the impact of COVID-19 taking effect, we are seeing less congestion on London’s roads. However, evidence is emerging that this has led some drivers to drive at extreme speed, risking their life and that of other road users. For example, we’ve recorded 134mph in a 40mph zone.
“All enforcement zones have seen a rise in driving speeds. This includes 20mph zones where many key workers are walking or cycling.
“Such driving behaviour is totally unacceptable and speeding increases the risk of a serious collision which will further impact on the NHS, fire and police services, abstracting them from working on COVID-19-related issues and potentially depriving patients of access to intensive care facilities and medical care.
“With this in mind, our roads policing officers are actively patrolling priority roads across London and robustly enforcing ‘Fatal 4’ offences.”