Speeding crackdown at fatal Halesowen crash hotspot
A crackdown on speeding motorists has been launched by police – including a stretch of road that was the scene of a fatal crash.
Police are carrying out regular speed checks along 'hotspot' routes to catch drivers who break the law and raise awareness of speed limits.
The extra work is being carried out after communities across the Dudley borough marked out speeding as the top priority for their police force.
One area identified by the public is Manor Way in Halesowen – a 40mph stretch of dual carriageway from the M5 to Grange Island roundabout in the town.
Residents claim too many motorists are speeding, causing a danger to people turning on and off the road from businesses and Halesowen Athletics and Cycling Club. The safety risk of the road was highlighted last month when 32-year-old motorcyclist Nick Foster died after coming off his bike.
Sgt Martin Hall carried out one of his regular checks on the road with PCSO Dan Giles and Pc Mick Jennings.
They watched traffic coming from the motorway side and were positioned on a lay-by next to Grange Island roundabout.
One of the trio stood using a laser gun to take speeds of vehicles, while the other two prepare to pull any motorist over who is breaking the speed limit.
In the 30-minute test, the trio pulled over just one vehicle, but Pc Jennings said he believed their work was having an impact.
He said: "Drivers are beginning to see us here regularly and they are watching their speeds, taking more notice of the limit and generally slowing down. When we began here we were stopping many motorists, today the motorists are driving within the limits – we see that as progress."
Ten minutes into the test, the trio pulled over a 31-year-old man who was driving an Audi at 53mph. He was let off a speeding ticket, but was given a warning by Sgt Hall.
Afterwards, he said: "I was driving to get my daughter from school and took my eye off the speed limit – it's a mistake and was irresponsible of me.
"This will make me think twice before putting my foot down on the accelerator."
Halesowen Councillors Ken Turner and David Vickers have spoken of their concerns about speeding on the stretch of road by the Manor Abbey Stadium.
Both have called for police to come down hard on motorists caught breaking limits to act as a deterrent to others.
