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Despite a reduction in incidents involving a serious injury or fatality, the number of road traffic collisions in Jersey remains "disappointing", according to the island's Head of Roads Policing.
Inspector Callum O'Connor said the force was "investing a great deal of time" dealing with islanders who commit some of the "fatal-five" motoring offences – drink and unfit driving, mobile phone use, speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, and driving without due care.
The number of road traffic collisions involving an injury or fatality dropped from 240 in 2022 down to 205 last year.
However, the police still attended nearly 1,000 collisions overall in 2023 – something Insp O’Connor believes sets the island apart from other jurisdictions for the wrong reasons.
Pictured: Head of Roads Policing, Inspector Callum O'Connor, described the island's road traffic collision data as "disappointing".
He said: "When you compare our data against the other small islands and Great Britain, we remain to have the highest road traffic collision rate.
"For a small island with a low-speed limit, this is disappointing."
Insp O’Connor added: "Our goal, along with our partners in the Honorary police and Infrastructure, is make the islands roads networks safe for all road users – of which all islanders have a part to play."
Last year, the force renewed its crackdown on speeding and also launched a Christmas campaign focused on drink-driving.
Insp O’Connor said: "SoJP are investing a great deal of time tackling the ‘fatal-five’ – drink and unfit driving, mobile phone use, speeding, failing to wear a seat belt and driving without due care.
"This year alone, 431 drivers have been reported for these offences and we hope our continued efforts in this space will enforce the importance of driving in accordance with the conditions of the road, the Highway Code, and the Road Traffic Law."
A petition calling for sentencing guidelines for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving to be amended to reflect "the level of seriousness of the offence" recently surpassed 1,000 signatures – the number at which Ministers are required to respond.
The petition is currently awaiting a Ministerial response.
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