Four motorcyclists dead as Wiltshire roads fatalities soar

In the last 10 days alone, four motorcyclists - three from Swindon and one from Melksham - died in collisions while travelling through Wiltshire and neighbouring Gloucestershire.

And now it has been revealed by police that the number of people killed or seriously injured as a result of collisions in Wiltshire has risen from 157 in 2020 to 255 in 2023.

A 28-year-old woman from Swindon died after a crash involving her Kawasaki ZR and a Volvo C70 on the B4014 between Malmesbury and Tetbury on the evening of Wednesday, July 31 in the latest tragedy on the area's roads.

Just before 8pm on Tuesday, July 30, police responded to calls from the B4425 in Barnsley near Cirencester after a motorcycle being ridden by a Swindon woman in her 40s hit a tree, causing fatal injuries.

On Saturday, July 27, 67-year-old David Earley from Melksham died in a crash on the A342 Monument Hill near Devizes at around 10.10am which involved his motorcycle and a Citroen van.

David Earley from Melksham (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Before that, a Swindon man in his 50s died at the B4696 junction of Cox's Hill in Ashton Keynes after his motorbike collided with a Volkswagen Tiguan at around 5.25pm on Thursday, July 25.

The No Excuse campaign raises awareness of the five most common causes of road traffic accidents that lead to death or serious injury.

A/Insp Jonathan Fairbairn, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Whilst these statistics show a clear increase in casualties and fatalities on Wiltshire’s roads, it’s really important to remember that each of these numbers is a person.

"That person may be a parent, a grandparent, somebody’s child or best friend, and their death will have no doubt affected a wide circle of family and friends.

“The fatal five offences are speeding, drink and drug driving, using a phone whilst driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or careless and dangerous driving.

"Committing these offences greatly increases your risk of causing a serious collision.

"Our teams are committed to targeting drivers who commit these offences and, during the campaign, we will be sharing some of the excuses our officers hear when stopping drivers.

"Often, things like not wearing a seatbelt may seem quite trivial but if you stop to think of the consequences of your actions, it’s actually a very serious offence.”

The campaign will also focus on motorbike and pedal bike as well as how to share the roads with horse riders safely.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson added: "The re-organisation of our Community Speedwatch teams and introduction of more community speed enforcement and road safety officers has seen a large increase in the number of drivers in Wiltshire sent on speed awareness courses, given fines and points, or sent to court.

“That said, we have to remain focused on reducing the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads, and for that, we, as in the whole community, have to target those drivers who have no regard to the risks they are taking or the safety of others.

"If you suspect anyone of drug or drink driving, we need to make sure they’re stopped and dealt with."

In regards to the recent deaths on Gloucestershire roads, Cllr Dave Norman from  Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am saddened to hear about the incidents that have happened in recent days.

"Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I, and other members of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership, remain committed to doing all we can to make travelling around the county as safe as possible and we’d also encourage people to take extra care when travelling.”