Serious crash hot spots identified in Black Country as 700 caught speeding in crackdown
Serious crash 'hot spots' in the Black Country have been identified by police as part of a two-week crackdown on speeding.
Figures revealed by West Midlands Police show 436 serious crashes took place on 20 routes within three years – including 49 fatal smashes.
Now more than 700 speeding drivers have been stopped and fined as part of a bid to tackle the issue.
The Black Country Route and the A454, which connects Walsall with Wolverhampton, was one of three Black Country routes on the list.
See also:
It saw a total of 25 crashes take place – all serious – from 2016 to 2019.
The A4123 Birmingham New Road saw three fatals during the same period – and a total of 21 crashes in total.
Three fatal smashes were recorded on the A457 Oldbury Ringway, which had 19 crashes in total.
Other major routes include the Birmingham Ring Road, where 42 crashes took place – including five fatal ones.
The A38 Tyburn Road saw four fatal RTCs take place, with 21 serious crashes overall.
It has been highlighted by the Road Harm Prevention Team, who caught 706 drivers, as part of a bid to highlight the effects of speeding.
The team focused on roads where there had been serious smashes, or had sparked a number of complaints from residents – including Brierley Hill's Thorns Road.
It came as part of Operation Zig Zag, targeting drivers who are spotted speeding near pedestrian crossings.
The motorists are stopped and then taken to court for the more serious offence of driving without due care and attention.
The drivers were hit with on-the-spot fines during the crackdown between January 20 to January 31.
Sgt Jon Butler, from the road harm prevention team, said: "Speed limits are not targets to beat - they are there to keep all road users safe.
"Speeding is one of the biggest killers on our roads and such reckless behaviour only puts lives at risk.
"The operation was not only aimed at stopping dangerous driving but getting motorists to think about their inexcusable actions.
"We are determined to reduce collisions on all routes across the region and won’t relent in our drive to keep all drivers and pedestrians safe."
