The woman tasked with supervising Sussex Police says public pressure is the main reason behind anti-social drivers being a future priority target for officers on patrol, or conducting investigations.
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has told More Radio that drivers who speed, even in areas not formally acknowledged to be accident hot-spots, are not only breaking the law, but are also lowering the quality of life for people living near affected roads.
She said action against anti-social drivers will become part of her official, annual, Police And Crime Plan, to be given to Sussex's Chief Constable Jo Shiner as direction for the force's priorities.
The plan, soon to be completed, is evolving as part of a legally required consultation with the public that the Police and Crime Commissioner must complete.
PCC Bourne said:
"Roads policing is now a specific priority, because it's so important to local people.
"My plan must reflect what local people tell me matters to them in policing — and this was a key area."
"It certainly fills the majority of my postbag."
She said movement to target anti-social driving had already begun:
"Sussex Police have just designated a dedicated officer to look at areas where speeding, in particular, is an issue.
"We intend to have a consistent approach, and one that is very targeted, because it clearly matters to people in Sussex.
"It's what the public has been asking for, and I'm really pleased — with Sussex Police — to be able to deliver that."
Among others welcoming the change is Lewes District councillor Johnny Denis (Green), who also spoke to More Radio.
He said:
"I'm hoping there will be a recognition of how speeding affects our communities.
"Of course, the toll of road injuries and fatalities is also an important issue.
"But everyday speeding, everyday anti-social driving, has impacts on communities across Sussex."
He discussed one long-term campaign — to reduce speeds on Malling Hill in Lewes, which passes through an almost entirely residential area as it brings traffic into the town on the A26 trunk road.
"It's appalling for people who live there, and don't feel safe walking on their pavement or crossing the road."
"There's a push-button pedestrian crossing that people are wary of using because vehicles are travelling so fast, they can't always stop when the lights change."
"It's fantastic news that we've been able to get that change into the Police and Crime Plan."
"Hopefully, we can influence how the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership puts into effect changes to our roads network, and behaviour on it, that will make Sussex safer for our residents as well as our drivers."
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