We are delighted to join UKROEd in congratulating Det Chief Supt Andy Cox on winning a well-deserved award for Outstanding Leadership in Road Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Det Chief Supt Cox, who is the national lead for fatal collision investigation, received the award earlier today (Thursday 29 April) at a virtual award ceremony, hosted by UKROEd. The award recognises his tireless efforts, during a very difficult year, to promote road safety.
Det Chief Supt Cox continues his tenacious approach to ensure vital messages are shared with road users via his 11.6K twitter followers, and his numerous appearances on local and national radio and TV, including a recent broadcast of BBC Crimewatch. His video, recorded at his home on his phone the start of the first lockdown, gained one million views. In it, he set out a compelling appeal to drivers to slow down in order to reduce collisions and therefore reduce additional pressure on the NHS during the height of the pandemic.
Described at a UN conference, where he presented to over 80 Counties, as “the most influential person on road danger,” Det Chief Supt Cox has led the way on intelligence led roads policing, with trailblazing work on the use of technology including ANPR, dash cams, head cams and drones. This work continues in Lincolnshire with the launch of Operation Snap in February which allows drivers to submit footage via a portal, allowing swift and efficient investigation of alleged driving offences.
Det Chief Supt Cox introduced in London the nation’s first Independent Advisory Group specifically for road safety, an initiative set to be reproduced across the Country in order to bring key stakeholders together, increase accountability and improve the services delivered. His work on highlighting speed as the most significant factor in road danger, together with an intelligence led policing approach, has been applied to enforcement operations on some of London’s most dangerous roads resulting in a significant reduction in numbers of people killed or seriously injured at these hotspots.
Det Chief Supt Cox’s work for the Metropolitan Police as the lead for Vision Zero in London, continued in his current role as Head of Crime for Lincolnshire Police, has ultimately contributed to saving lives on our roads. His quest, to encourage cultural change on attitudes to speed and gain public support, continues.
Chief Constable Chris Haward was keen to offer his congratulations. He said: “I am delighted to hear about Andy’s achievements and award. This is richly deserved and his work has, without doubt, saved many lives on our roads. He continues to work on improving road safety alongside his new role in Crime Investigation.
“My sincere congratulations go to Andy and I wish him well in his 200K running challenge which he is about to embark on to support “RoadPeace” during the month of May!”
On receiving the award, Det Chief Supt Cox said: “I would like to sincerely thank UKROEd for an exceptional virtual event which brought together key partners including Brake and the Road Safety Trust.
“My congratulations go to the other very worthy winners today who demonstrated that a combined effort and partnership approach is essential in saving lives, and that road danger is everyone’s responsibility.
“I am honoured to receive the reward but while people are still killed and seriously injured on our roads, there will always be more work to be done. Every death on our roads is tragic and unacceptable and I see first-hand the utter devastation caused. Despite significant progress to reduce road danger over the last decade, we can and must do more. The police and all those with a responsibility for managing, operating and enforcing roads must be relentless in our combined efforts to reduce road danger and protect people.”
Det Chief Supt Cox’s passion for the subject is demonstrated not only in his police work, but also in his personal commitment to raising funds for charity. Next month, he embarks on a challenge to run 200k to raise money for RoadPeace.
For media opportunities, please email media.services@lincs.pnn.police.uk
200K charity run for RoadPeace
Det Chief Supt Cox will complete the ambitious challenge during Global Road Safety Week, which runs from May 17-23, 2021.
Poignantly, he will start running at the location of the first ever UK fatal road collision, near Crystal Palace, in London, and end at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, which provides a symbolic and comforting place for bereaved families.
The route will take him through a number of UK counties where he is hopeful that police officers, road safety professionals and members of the public will join him, covering some of the distance alongside him.
This will not only help to raise additional funds for RoadPeace, but it will help to promote road safety locally.
He has already raised more than £6,000 of his £25,000 target, but he is urging others to take part in the event to help him to increase this amount.
The route he will take:
- May 15 – Crystal Palace to Brent Cross, London
- May 16 – Brent Cross to St Albans, Herts
- May 17 – St Albans to Dunstable, Beds
- May 18 – Dunstable to Bletchley, Berks
- May 19 – Bletchley to Towcester, Northants
- May 20 – Towcester to Kilsby, Northants
- May 21 – Kilsby to Wibtoft, Warks
- May 22 – Wibtoft to Sibson, Leics
- May 23 – Sibson to National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs
Det Chief Supt Cox said: “I’d be delighted for people to join me in this important event – by running, cycling or walking part of the route alongside me.
“Running such a long distance will be challenging and the support of those around me will make all the difference – so please do get in touch if you’d like to join me.”
He added: “RoadPeace do an amazing job to support seriously injured people and bereaved families, helping them come to terms with their loss and supporting them through such a terrible experience.
“They also play a key role in advocating for road safety change and in doing so seeking improvements across the system, to help prevent future collisions and to improve the experience and processes for those who sadly have been affected.
“Following the pandemic and the cancellation of many fundraising events, RoadPeace needs our support more than ever right now.”
If you would like to take part in the event in any way please contact info@roadsafetysupport.co.uk
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please email sara.dowling@roadpeace.org for more information.
About Det Chief Supt Andy Cox
- Head of Crime, Lincolnshire Police
- Formerly Head of Road Crime, MPS
- National lead for fatal collision investigation, reporting to the National Police Chiefs’ Council
- During the first UK lockdown, he became an unofficial national spokesperson for road danger reduction (134k views, 500k impressions, 25k engagements)
- Regular media appearances including interview with Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2, LBC Radio’s James O’Brien and by Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio London.
- Over 11k Twitter followers
- Most recently, he also appeared on BBC Crimewatch, where he spoke about his upcoming challenge
- Andy explains why he’s doing this challenge
- Andy’s JustGiving page
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