Drivers told 'take responsibility' as deaths rise

Road safety campaigners in Lincolnshire have criticised drivers' poor behaviour after the number of people killed in crashes on the county's roads hit a five-year high.

Between 1 January and 31 October, 44 fatalities were recorded, up from 26 the year before, according to the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

Spokesman Simon Outen-Coe said: "Too often, drivers blame the roads or other people and treat speed limits as though they're optional.

"While we keep charging around, exceeding speed limits, being distracted by what's going on in our vehicles, not paying attention and taking unnecessary risks and chances, unfortunately we will continue to see these serious and fatal collisions."

This year's death toll was the worst since 45 people were killed during the same 10-month period in 2020.

There were 26 road deaths recorded during the same period last year, compared with 41 in 2024 and 2023, 35 in 2022 and 34 in 2021.

Outen-Coe said: "Last year, thankfully, we had fewer people killed on our roads.

"However, it was still far too many. It's just a horrendous amount of grief and tragedy across the county."

While acknowledging that some roads were not always in the condition drivers would like, he said motorists had to take personal responsibility and drive to the conditions.

"Too often, drivers blame the roads or other people and treat speed limits as though they're optional.

"We've got to take responsibility for keeping ourselves and others safe. If road conditions or the weather are poor, drivers need to adjust accordingly and be patient with other road users.

"Allowing a bit of patience and expecting people to make minor mistakes will help keep us all safe."

Outen-Coe said the partnership's "ABC" road safety campaign encouraged motorists to avoid distractions, be patient and concentrate.

"If we stick to those three very simple principles, it will help make a difference," he added.

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