Road safety charity calls for halt to cuts in traffic policing

The government must put a stop to traffic police cuts if Britain's roads are to remain safe, a charity has said.

Brake noted the number of officers ensuring drivers are behaving safely has been reduced by 11.6 per cent over the last five years, while between 1999 and 2005 the force was slashed from 7,525 personnel to 6,511.

The organisation warned reducing policing on the roads in this way could encourage motorists that break the rules and put others in danger to think they can get away with it.

"Investing in roads policing and stepping up critical checks like breath-testing helps stop crashes before they happen, meaning less families suffering and reduced costs to the taxpayer," Deputy Chief Executive at Brake Julie Townsend argued.

The AA recently called for the police to be harder on drivers who do not have car insurance, saying larger penalties should be meted out to these motorists.

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