Rutland police respond to frequent A1 incidents, including crashes, breakdowns, and dangerous driving, straining resources.
Crashes aren’t the only reason for these calls, though. He says attending the A1 is very common, and it puts a big strain on their resources impacting the community. They aren’t always responding to accidents.
In five years, this A1 area saw four serious injury crashes, with one crash resulting in a death. Eleven other incidents caused injuries. Most police calls are for different issues.
Broken down vehicles and road obstructions also need police attention. Dangerous driving is another common issue, and Sergeant Palmer reminds drivers to be safe. He notes that 70 mph is the speed limit, not a must.
He wants drivers to adjust to the conditions, emphasizing that ice and snow mean 70 mph is too fast. Leave plenty of space to stop safely. Check lights, fuel, and vehicle maintenance before any trip, he advises.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle too, such as high-vis clothing, food, and drinks. He states this advice is common sense and urges applying it on the A1, just like back roads. Fast roads like the A1 have higher risks, therefore he urges everyone to use good judgment when driving.
Anyone can experience breakdowns or tire blowouts, and drivers should know what to do in these situations. First, try to move the vehicle off the road. If not, exit the vehicle and stand away from the road.
Report any road obstruction to the police right away. Use What3Words to share your exact location; this app helps police find you faster because it divides the world into small squares.
Police face traffic jams when they respond to A1 incidents. Sergeant Palmer asks drivers not to drive bumper to bumper to help them navigate the traffic more easily. Drivers unsure about moving should stay put and let the police find a way around them.