MOTORISTS in Surrey and Sussex are being asked to join a pledge to reduce the number of deaths on roads across Europe.

Surrey and Sussex Police held a day of action in support of a European-wide campaign run by TISPOL, the roads policing network for the continent, to reduce risk and improve safety.

Officers from the counties’ joint Roads Policing Units targeted traffic offenders as part of Project Edward (European Day Without A Road Death), which aimed to have zero road fatalities in Europe on that day.

But motorists are also being urged to play their part by following a few simple steps which could save their lives – and others.

Head of Operations for Surrey and Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry said: “While we are fully supportive of this campaign, our aim is of course to have zero fatal collisions in Surrey every day; not just on September 21. There were 29 road fatalities in the county last year, and that is 29 too many.

“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.”

Of the 29 road deaths in Surrey last year, four involved young people aged 16 to 24, 13 involved adults aged 25-59, and 12 involved people aged 60 and above.