SURREY Police urged drivers to “sign the pledge” at a day of action late last month.

Motorists were encouraged to make a pledge to reduce the number of fatalities on roads bySurrey and Sussex Police in support of a European-wide campaign run by TISPOL, the roads policing network for the continent.

In 2017 there were 36 fatal road traffic collisions across the county and more than 3,680 people injured in Surrey.

The day of action took place during the National Police Chiefs Council’s week of action targeting mobile phone use while driving.

Officers from the counties’ joint Roads Policing Units provided a high visibility presence and targeted traffic offenders as part of Project Edward – European Day Without A Road Death – which aimed to have a total of zero road fatalities on that day.

Motorists are also being urged to play their part by following a few simple steps which could save not only their lives but others, too.

Chief Inspector Terri Adderley of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit said: “In Surrey, there were 36 fatal road traffic collisions and around a further 3680 people injured in 2017.

“By supporting the TISPOL campaign, we are hoping to highlight the dangers of driving and the risks involved and change the perception that driving casualties are something we have to accept.

“Among some of the major contributory factors of fatal or serious collisions are drink or drug-driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile device at the wheel.

“We have a zero tolerance to all of the above, and anyone caught breaking the law in any of these circumstances will be dealt with robustly.

“However, there are a vast number of other causes of collisions, which include not checking mirrors and blind spots, not looking at junctions, not taking weather conditions into account, not keeping enough distance from other vehicles, ignoring road signs and vehicle defects.

“We do a lot of proactive and reactive work throughout the year to raise awareness of the Highway Code and the essential rules of safe driving. But it is of course the drivers’ own responsibility to follow these rules, and by working together, we can all help to reduce the number of collisions.”

To support the day and the work carried out by Sussex and Surrey Police, and the two counties fire and rescue services, as well as local authorities, members of the public can sign up to the pledge, committing to become a better driver and encouraging friends and family to do the same at:https://projectedward.eu/pledge.