One Second
FORCEWIDE
One second to take a life: Drive safe, every time
In the last twelve months alone, 32 people have lost their lives on our roads, with many more suffering life changing injuries. That’s 32 families shattered, 32 friends lost, 32 empty chairs at dinner tables and 32 futures stolen in one second. All because of a moment’s recklessness, distraction, or poor decision-making behind the wheel.
In this campaign, families left shattered by fatal road traffic collisions, alongside our Serious Collisions Team, Rods Policing Unit, and Family Liaison Officers reveal the harsh and preventable reality of road traffic collisions.
It takes one second to take a life, one second to ruin your own, one second to lose your job, one second to leave a family grieving forever.
Inspector John Rickells from our Roads Policing Unit said: “Every fatal collision we attend is a tragedy that didn’t need to happen. Behind every incident is a person, whether that be someone’s parent, partner, child, sibling or best friend. In almost every case, it could have been prevented.
“Speeding, using your phone, driving under the influence, or a reckless judgement, just one second of these decisions can destroy lives forever. No journey is worth that risk.
“When someone is killed or seriously injured in a collision, the devastation doesn’t end at the scene. The driver responsible has to live with the consequences for the rest of their life.
“There are drivers who convince themselves they’re invincible. Maybe they’ve exceeded speed limits and have never been caught, driven home after a few drinks without consequence, pushed through a long drive despite feeling exhausted, or glanced at their phone at the wheel and still made it to their destination.
“But just because nothing happened last time, doesn’t mean it won’t happen next time. Every risk taken is a roll of the dice, and one day, the odds will run out.
“Some will face prison or a criminal record. Some will carry the unbearable guilt of knowing they took a person’s life, a burden that never goes away. A moment of distraction, a few extra miles per hour, a blind overtake, can all lead to a lifetime of regret.
“In some cases, the driver is fortunate enough to walk away, but the same can’t always be said for their passengers, another driver or an innocent pedestrian. It could be your best friend in the passenger seat, your sibling in the back, your partner sitting beside you. The people you care about most could pay the price for your actions.
“For emergency services, the reality of these collisions is haunting. Police officers, paramedics and firefighters see things that no one should have to witness. They hold the hands of victims in their final moments. They cut people free from twisted wreckage. They knock on doors and tell loved ones the unthinkable.
“And then there are the innocent people involved, the ones who simply never made it home. Many who were simply on their way to work, to see friends, or to pick up their children from school. They had their whole lives ahead of them – until a split-second decision took it all away.
“This campaign isn’t about prosecution, it’s about prevention. Once a life is lost or changed irreversibly, there’s no going back.
“The message is simple: Drive safe, every time.”
We continue to encourage members of the public to report any road traffic offences and dangerous driving to us by calling our non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency, when safe to do so, to help hold reckless and dangerous drivers to account for their actions.
You can also submit video evidence of driving offences that you or other members of the public have witnessed via our online reporting tool Op Snap.
Our One Second campaign film series contain topics viewers may find distressing. If you have been affected by any of the stories told as part of our latest campaign, reach out for help and advice via the links below.
Operation Snap is a secure online platform that allows you to submit video evidence of driving offences that you or other members of the public have witnessed. Its purpose is to improve road safety and to prosecute those that place others at risk. The service has been produced with the support of the Department for Transport.
The online service allows us to effectively deal with the footage recorded by members of the public in a safe and secure way, whilst making the investigation process simple and straightforward. We have a determined and robust approach to policing the roads and we’ll take every opportunity to make them safer for everyone.
This portal can only be used for driving offences, it is not for submitting footage of Road Traffic Collisions or public order offences, and is not for reporting crime.
It’s easy for people to engage in Operation Snap and processes have been designed to run smoothly. Operation Snap is not asking you to go out and detect offences for us, but we will deal with any you find.
Operation Snap has one desired outcome: making our roads safer.
For other crime reporting methods, please see our main report it page.
In an emergency always dial 999 where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress, for non-emergencies dial 101.
Monday, 20 January: Two jailed after pedestrian suffers life changing injuries in a 'hit and run' in Hull
Friday, 11 April: Drink driver jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving
Wednesday, 16 April: Off-duty police officer makes arrest
Thursday, 17 April: Officers recover stolen car and arrest man
If you have been a victim or witness of crime, you may need further support and information to assist you through the process.
You can access further support.
The leading causes of serious injury and death on UK roads are speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone while driving. Find out more about these offences and the penalties they carry and how to report incidents or collisions if they occur.
If your vehicle's been seized or impounded by the police and is at a police pound, garage or with a recovery operator, you’ll find information here about how you can claim it back or dispose of it.