Political Opinion with Alison Bennett MP: Making Our Roads Safer for Everyone

At a recent residents' surgery I hosted with Sussex Police, the issues of speeding, antisocial driving and dangerous driving were raised once again. It is a concern that residents regularly bring to my attention, particularly around the A2300, Sussex Way and Jane Murray Way. 

Since becoming your MP, I have raised these concerns with Sussex Police on a number of occasions. Time and again, local people have told me about excessive vehicle noise, speeding and reckless driving, often late at night. During the summer months, the impact can be felt even more widely, with residents spending more time outdoors and sleeping with their windows open. These incidents can be disruptive and intimidating, and in some cases pose a genuine danger to other road users and pedestrians. 

Sussex Police encourage residents to report incidents through Operation Crackdown, and I strongly support people doing so wherever possible. The information provided helps the police identify offenders, get a better idea of what is happening and target problem areas. Without reports, the authorities are often unaware of the scale or frequency of this issue. 

However, I also recognise that it is not always possible to provide the level of detail required for an Operation Crackdown report. Incidents often take place late at night, when identifying a vehicle can be difficult. Likewise, if you witness dangerous driving while behind the wheel yourself, it is neither practical nor safe to try to record it in the moment. 

That is why I have been collecting information from constituents who have experienced or witnessed this behaviour, in order to build a clearer picture of what is happening across Mid Sussex. By sharing this wider evidence with Sussex Police alongside reports submitted through Operation Crackdown, I hope we can strengthen the case for targeted enforcement and further action where it is needed most. 

I will continue to press Sussex Police on this issue, but I would also encourage residents to keep reporting incidents through Operation Crackdown whenever they can. It remains the most effective way to provide evidence directly to the police and ensure that concerns are properly recorded. 

By working together and continuing to raise these issues, I hope we can secure the action needed to make our roads safer for everyone.