A38 'danger road' sparks new safety campaign

The number of deaths and accidents on the busy A38 in Staffordshire are being tackled in a new safety campaign.

The campaign follows a number of serious collisions on a stretch in the Lichfield area over recent months. Earlier this month, Staffordshire MP Andrew Griffiths asked the Government to review the A38's safety following a horror crash that killed two sisters from Derby and left six injured.

The Burton MP wrote to the Transport Secretary Justine Greening after the collision on the northbound carriageway near the Branston junction.

Among the injured was a 25-year-old woman from Wolverhampton, who was in a Peugeot, and was taken to Burton Queens Hospital after the smash.

A combination of enforcement and education initiatives will be used to address road safety concerns on the road by the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership working with the Highways Agency, Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Enforcement teams will be looking for offences like speeding, mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt.

Where appropriate, offenders will be offered an education option instead of the standard penalty points.

Staffordshire County Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This is a stretch of road that has seen a number of accidents over the past few months, including some involving serious injuries.

"This new, joint campaign aims to deter people from putting not only their own lives, but the lives of innocent motorists, in danger."

Crashes on the A38 often result in long tailbacks. A three-car crash on the A38 in January left frustrated motorists stuck for nearly two hours in traffic queues.