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SSRP supports the Andy Cox Challenge 2022

Posted on Thursday 19th May 2022 in All Road Users, Education and Training, News

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership supported the 2022 Andy Cox Challenge 2022: ‘How far will you go to save lives on our roads?’

Building in the foundations of a hugely successful challenge in 2021, raising over £50k for RoadPeace, the largest amount raised for the charity by an individual fundraiser, Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox took his challenge for 2022 to the next level. The Challenge… 30miles a day for 7 days! Andy done 30miles of activity (a walk, a run, a cycle) across the country joined by representatives from around half of the 43 police forces across England and Wales along the way.

The RoadPeace Andy Cox Challenge 2022 aims to drive home the message that a staggering five people die and more than 60 are seriously injured on average on the UK’s roads, every single day.

Before the challenge Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, wrote to every force asking them to play their part in the Andy Cox Challenge 2022 – a week-long fundraising campaign in which police officers and staff will join to run or cycle across their counties to raise money for road crash victims and their families.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox, Head of Crime at Lincolnshire Police, who has made it his mission to change the public’s perception around road crime was in Sussex on May 17th, on Day 2 of the challenge.

Det Chief Supt Cox said: “More people die on the UK’s roads than through murder and terrorism combined, so it’s time for us all to start taking road danger as seriously.

“I consider this a moment for policing to create a united and powerful voice in the road danger conversation. By involving the majority of police forces, we will generate significant media coverage, increase public awareness, and send one message: road danger is an issue we are committed to tackling.”

He added: “Roads policing is a challenging job and all too often we are the ones dealing with the devastating and horrific consequences of dangerous, reckless and selfish drivers. We are very much on the side of bereaved families and safe and sensible drivers.

“On occasion, we are frustrated by a sometimes negative preconception around our role in preventing road danger, such as criticism of speed enforcement. I hope this challenge will give a fresh perspective about how the policing family views this issue and help the public to fully understand the link in tackling road crime and saving life.

“Fundamentally I hope the challenge leads to improvement in driving standards and culture and a commitment from every relevant agency to step up their determination and action to tackle road danger.”

SSRP’s Communications Officer, Ellen, went out to support the event, said:

‘It was so lovely to see so many individuals from the force taking time to support such an amazing cause. This challenge shines a light on road crime and the devastating loss it can cause. It’s been incredible to see the conversations that have been sparked and the scale this messaging has achieved. Good luck to Andy for the rest of the challenge. On behalf of the team at Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, at Shoreham Police Station – we are so proud of everyone’s efforts and achievements in raising money for Road Peace this year and are looking forward to the next challenge!’