Middlesbrough has been identified as the 13th most dangerous place to drive in the UK. Recent data reveals alarming statistics on dangerous driving incidents in the area.
Middlesbrough: It’s been reported as the 13th most dangerous place to drive in the UK. The area has the highest rate of dangerous driving in the North East.
Data from the Home Office shows 116 dangerous driving offences in Middlesbrough over three years. Thirteen of these resulted in serious injury or death, which is one crime per 1,126 people.
Many drivers come into Middlesbrough for work or to visit the James Cook University Hospital. This influx may contribute to the high number of incidents.
Nearby Hartlepool is not far behind, ranking 14th with 74 dangerous driving offences. Stockton and Redcar also have concerning statistics, but their larger populations affect their rankings.
Dangerous driving includes speeding, racing, and ignoring traffic signals. The police are serious about tackling this issue and will take action against offenders.
In recent months, several dangerous drivers have been jailed. Here are some notable cases that highlight the severity of the problem.
Lewis Bates
Lewis Bates, a convicted child rapist, led police on a high-speed chase. He reached speeds of 100mph and drove the wrong way around a roundabout.
Bates was eventually stopped when police boxed him in. He was found with a machete in his car and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Anthony Richards
Anthony Richards, 40, has a history of dangerous driving. He fled from police in his VW Golf, reaching speeds of 70mph before crashing into a lamp post.
Richards was sentenced to 18 months in prison and banned from driving for over four years.
Austen Moore
Austen Moore led police on a high-speed chase in a banned Audi. He reached speeds of 70mph in residential areas before crashing into a police car.
Moore was sentenced to 16 months in prison and banned from driving for nearly three years.
Mason Thornton
Mason Thornton drove while inhaling nitrous oxide and crashed at 80mph. His passenger, Harlan Moon, suffered severe injuries and is now in a vegetative state.
Thornton was sentenced to 47 months in prison and banned from driving for five years.
These cases show the serious consequences of dangerous driving in Middlesbrough. The police are committed to keeping the roads safe.
