Lincolnshire Police add careless driving to 'Fatal 5' list

The 'Fatal 5' national campaign includes careless driving, speeding, driving under the influence, not wearing a seatbelt and being distracted by a mobile device

Careless driving has been added to a police list of the main causes of road deaths in Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire Police said 21 of the 48 fatalities on the county's roads in 2022 had "careless, reckless, in a hurry" as a contributory factor.

Other factors on the "Fatal 5" national campaign are drink or drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Excessive speed and using mobile phones complete the list. Officers urged the public to report suspected offenders.

The force said carelessness accounted for 44% of all fatalities in 2022 and was the top contributory factor recorded.

This was followed by "failed to look properly", which was recorded in 10 of the 48 fatalities.

Insp Jason Baxter says motorists should consider if their actions would be acceptable while on a driving test

Insp Jason Baxter, of Lincolnshire Police said: "The legal definition of careless driving is if your driving falls below the standard of a careful and competent driver.

"Ask yourself, would I do this if I was on my driving test? If the answer is no, you shouldn't be doing it."

The force asked people to continue to use its Operation Snap portal, where footage can be uploaded and suspected driving offences can be reported.

Insp Baxter added: "We can't be everywhere all the time, so we want the public's help in identifying these offences."