More People Die on the Roads than Terrorism and Murder Combined

The senior police officer spearheading a major UK road danger awareness campaign appeared on national television this week to warn the public that more people die in road crashes each year than from murder and terrorism combined.

Introduced as an ‘inspirational’ officer by the show’s presenters, Det Chief Supt Andy Cox, Head of Crime at Lincolnshire Police, appeared on BBC1’s Crimewatch Live to speak about his passion and determination to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.

Between 16-22 May 2022, supported by other police forces and emergency services, Det Chief Supt Cox will be running, walking and cycling 30 miles each day across the UK in the hope of raising £500,000 for RoadPeace, the road victims’ charity.

Starting on the Isle of Wight, where he grew up, and ending at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, he will also be joined by high-profile fundraisers along the way, including broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who presents BBC Radio 2’s lunchtime programme and Channel 5 quiz show, Eggheads.

A keen cyclist, Mr Vine has been a strong supporter of Det Chief Supt Cox for several years, and regularly posts about road and cycle safety on Twitter.

The senior police officer hopes that the event will drive home the message that five people die and more than 60 people are seriously injured, on average, every single day in collisions on the UK’s roads.

‘Unfortunately, so many people just see that as an acceptable number, but of course it isn’t,’ said Det Chief Supt Cox.

‘Ninety five per cent of fatal crashes link to driver error so that’s about people’s driving standards, culture and their respect for the roads.’

He added: ‘I always make the point that more people die on the UK’s roads than through murder and terrorism combined, so it’s time that all road users start to take road danger as seriously.’

To support the Andy Cox Challenge by making a donation please visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/andycoxchallenge2022

Or to become involved as an event sponsor or fundraiser please contact info@roadpeace.org.