ROADS POLICING WEBINAR


Left to right: Brian Booth, Andy Smith, Tim Rogers and Simon Hill


with the UK government’s net zero plans. He highlighted the challenges, operational implications, and the need for collaboration to ensure a smooth transition to sustainable and connected mobility in policing. The presentation also covered Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) regulations and the evolving landscape of connected and automated mobility. Brian Booth raised concerns about electric vehicles and the challenges faced by officers during pursuits due to complex systems. He discussed the importance of proper training to avoid endangering officers. Brian Jones, Vice Chair of the Scottish Police Federation, shared insights into Police Scotland’s electric vehicle journey, outlining its fleet and charging infrastructure. Mr Jones detailed the training required


to understand electric vehicle hazards, including chemical risks, armoured cabling, and potential dangers during collisions. He discussed the live nature of electric vehicles even when turned off, the risk of electric shock, and the difficulty in disconnecting components. Concerns at collision scenes were highlighted, including noxious substances, vapor, and the need for a 100-meter security perimeter. He then presented a video depicting a potential thermal event in an electric vehicle, underscoring the importance of awareness and safety measures for emergency responders. He concluded by addressing firefighting challenges.


08 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2024


For the final session, the panel discussed the future of roads policing, addressing concerns about the decline in the number of roads policing officers and the need for a national focus on road safety. Simon Hill touched on the broad role of roads policing, dealing with various crimes beyond traffic offenses.


AA President Edmund King stressed the need for a national commitment to road safety, while Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace, highlighted the importance of behaviour change and consequences for road violations. Ruth Halkon, researcher at the Police Foundation, suggested a national approach to enforcement and technological solutions. Mr Hill countered the notion of a “stick to beat motorists with,” proposing self-funding through lawbreakers. The discussion made clear the multifaceted role of roads policing officers and the potential impact on their wellbeing. The panel discussed the potential


establishment of a national roads police force. The members expressed varying levels of support, with some pointing out the need for dedicated traffic police and others highlighting challenges such as funding and the broader issues within policing. Key points included the importance


of a national approach to tackle road safety, the impact of technological advancements, and the need for research into the effectiveness of a national roads police force. Concerns were raised about the lack of prioritisation of road safety


within policing generally, the variation in practices across different police forces, and the challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled officers. The discussion touched on the


complexities of enforcing traffic laws, the limitations of technology, and the role of a national roads police force in addressing issues such as dangerous driving and repeat offenders. Funding models were also discussed, suggesting a staged approach focused on strategic road networks. The session concluded with questions from the audience, addressing issues like the impact of austerity measures on roads policing, the potential skewing of road policing numbers due to training delays, and the need for long-term views on establishing and maintaining roads policing units. The overall sentiment was supportive of exploring the idea further, stressing the need for collaboration, research, and a strategic approach to address road safety challenges on a national level. A poll was taken at the end of the session


to see how many people were in favour of a national roads police force, (results on previous page).


T o view the session, visit our


YouTube page at: www.youtube. com/playlist?list=PL9U0B5b280_ xviOO2pF8PiQYwRGf66Eto


We would like to thank Slater & Gordon for sponsoring this event.


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