A former ambulance officer who attended many crashes on the A1(M) during his 30-year career says speed cameras and public education is key to reducing accidents.

A retired ambulance officer who attended many crashes on the A1(M) during his 30-year career says speed cameras and public education is key to reducing accidents.

Gary Sanderson, of Stevenage, spoke to the Comet after Letchworth commuter Phil Bradwell started a petition calling for Junction 10 to Junction 6 of the A1(M) to be made safer – with almost 500 people supporting it so far.

Gary, 50, said: “The A1(M) was – and still is – a very challenging stretch of motorway, where I regularly attended road traffic collisions. They ranged from minor shunts to people sustaining life-changing injuries and, sadly, fatalities.

“Collisions are still happening regularly. I think the introduction of speed cameras would dramatically reduce the number of serious injuries and fatal collisions and I would urge Highways England to place them along the A1(M) and trial them for 12 months.

“There is talk of widening the motorway, but I think the initial step is to install speed cameras and educate newly qualified drivers of the dangers associated with driving on motorways.

“Public education is key and all three blue light services are working very closely to raise the profile of driving safely.”

Highways England told the Comet it had no safety concerns about this stretch of the A1(M), but said work to widen the road is expected to start in 2019.

To sign Phil’s petition, click here.