Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2007 | Page 35

FEATURE - life With lights and Extra - Peter Wainwright. sirens the journey takes just five minutes. A paramedic is already tending to a woman who appears to have suffered neck injuries. PC Richardson talks to both drivers, takes photographs of skid marks left on the road for use as evidence and gets the traffic flowing again. And after a visit to St Mary’s to check on the injured driver, it’s 2nd driver involved in the Cowes collision. time to head back No drink or drugs were involved simply a to the station case of a lack of concentration. and complete his Richardson assures us that it will be paperwork. a completely different experience We’ll be joining PC Richardson in our June/July issue for a shift in the Traffic Division’s unmarked car. PC as members of the public drive normally, which includes all the usual things, speeding, jumping lights etc... Should be interesting. Stella Baker explains that her car is insured under a motor traders policy. plates could indicate that the trailer has been stolen.” The driver is told to take the vehicle home and fix the lights before PC Richardson with Michael Phillips who going any further. on this occasion got off with a warning for If members of the speeding (not enough evidence to say he’d public call to complain been speeding for 2 tenths of a mile)... about speeding, the police will go to that area and set up the family involved. their speed guns. “It’s not easy to be told someone Rather than hiding behind a hedge has died. There’s a sense of disbelief. to catch drivers going over the speed “Some people close the door on limit, which he is perfectly entitled you, others might hit you but often to do, PC Richardson prefers to be in they will just want to share all their full view of oncoming motorists. memories of their loved one.” “We are here to educate people. If Just before the end of his shift our presence makes them think a a call comes in for a two-vehicle little more about the speeds they are collision in Mill Hill Road, East doing that’s good.” Cowes, involving injured persons. PC Richardson is passionate about There are no local units available road safety and says this comes and as PC Richardson packs up his from years of having to clear up the speed gun in Rookley, he knows he carnage. could be the first on the scene and “I am also a family liaison officer have to carry out preliminary first and in the event of an accident, it is aid. me who has to knock on the door of Island Life - www.isleofwight.net This lucky driver is let off with a warning and told to go home and fix the lights. 35