DANGEROUS drivers were caught speeding more than 13,000 times across Oxfordshire in 2020.

Figures obtained by the Oxford Mail through a Freedom of Information request revealed that Thames Valley Police recorded 13,139 offences in the county from January 1 to November 11.

While that was 3,154 fewer incidents than the year before, it was also during a year when people across the county were asked to ‘stay at home’ during two lengthy national lockdowns.

This meant that drivers were discouraged from going out for anything but urgent reasons.

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While speeding is considered a minor offence, Dr Alison Hill – chairman of Oxford’s cycling group Cyclox – pointed out that it ‘kills and makes streets unsafe’.

Commenting on the high figures, Dr Hill said: “Any crash is one too many and Cyclox wants our two council to adopt a Vision Zero – the elimination of traffic fatalities and serious injuries to anyone, whichever way they choose to travel.

“A speed limit of 20mph on all residential streets in Oxford and market towns, and a reduction in speed on country roads in Oxfordshire, will contribute towards this vision.

“We are pleased to see that Oxfordshire County Council supported a motion in December to find ways to reduce speed on all built-up roads.

“We now want to see action to ensure that happens.”

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Across England and Wales in 2019-20, the number of people caught breaking the speed limit hit 2.6 million.

Even more, the number of offences across the two nations rose by eight per cent.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Services, which dealt with hundreds of car crashes caused by speeding in 2020, commented on the figures: “Speed limits are put on roads for the safety of all road users.

“If people abuse those speed limits they put themselves and others in danger.

“The vast majority of accidents could be avoided if people took personal responsibility for their behaviour and abided by speed limits.

“Speed limits are not a maximum target for motorists to aim for.”

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A new speeding taskforce group was launched for the county in November – a joint initiative involving Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.

Its aims include educating drivers about the dangers of breaking the speed limit and helping communities to tackle the problem.

A spokesperson for the force commented: “The Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing is committed to working with partners in order to achieve safe roads, free from harm.

“It adopts a balanced approach to enforcement and education activities utilising appropriate technology to reduce the number of persons killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

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