Number of deaths and crashes on Harborough district’s roads hit a six-year high

The leader of Harborough council is imploring drivers to slow down and be extra-careful as deaths and crashes on the district’s roads hit a six-year high.

Cllr Phil King is calling on motorists not to speed and not to drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel as the stunning statistics for March 2019 - March 2020 were released.

The worried council chief spoke out as new figures show that six people were killed and 69 collisions recorded in the 12 months up until March this year.

The catalogue of accidents almost doubled the 37 smashes dealt with in the previous year - when there was nobody killed on Harborough’s roads.

Cllr King told the Harborough Mail: “These figures are very worrying.

“On a human level it’s tragic for the people killed and seriously injured as well as their families and friends.

“We all have to work hard and pull together more than ever to cut the number of collisions, deaths and injuries in our area.”

The Conservative council chief insisted: “Too many drivers still go too fast.

“It’s well known that speeding is a major contributory factor in causing accidents.

“Whether you are driving a car, a van, a lorry or riding a motorbike or even a cycle – slow down.

“My advice is simple. Stick to the speed limits and your chances of having an accident are significantly reduced.”

Cllr King has fought for years to have speed cameras set up on a notorious stretch of the A6 linking Great Glen to Kibworth.

“Far too many people hit crazy speeds on that road and more should be done to slow them down.

“But we also have other blackspots on our sprawling patch such as Shearsby Bath crossroads and the West Langton crossover on the A6.

“New campaign activity will be going ahead to make everybody more aware of the dangers that we all face on our roads every day of the week.

“Speeding, of course, helps to make up the so-called Fatal Four causes of so many crashes,” he said.

“They are speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving.

“We all also have to drive to the conditions.

“We are about to go into November, into the winter and all the really bad weather.

“Driving on a wet, slippery road or a treacherous snowy road is very different to driving on a much better dry surface.

“So slow down, take even more care and have your wits about you.

“And always ensure that your vehicle is properly looked after and maintained.

“Regularly check your tyre pressures and your brakes, keep all your windows clean so that you can see out, get your vehicle serviced.

“Do all of that and you will seriously reduce your chances of having a crash,” insisted Cllr King.

Jonathan Clarkson, of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership, said: “Harborough is the largest district in Leicestershire.

“It’s got many miles of rural roads and they pose particular safety problems and risks.

“Road lighting is often bad, there are livestock, agricultural vehicles and mud on the road – as well as more bends, trees and ditches.”

He added: “Country roads are higher-risk routes.

“It’s interesting that we have seen this marked increase in fatalities and collisions on Harborough’s roads in the last year.

“We still have drivers doing ridiculous speeds and far too many people not wearing seatbelts all these years after the law was introduced.

“Police are still arresting about 80 motorists a month for drink-driving throughout Leicestershire – despite there being fewer drivers on the roads during the pandemic.

“So again we are urging people to heed the Fatal Four, drive safely and obey the laws.”

The highest number of collisions happened on the A5 near Lutterworth, where there were 10, followed by seven in the Kibworth area and six around Husbands Bosworth.

The new figures, provided by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, will be discussed at a meeting of Harborough council’s Communities Scrutiny Panel on Thursday October 29.