CAMPAIGNING Pendle MP Gordon Prentice is calling for immediate introduction of new rules aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving police drivers responding to emergencies.

He wants the latest proposals drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers implemented quickly to cut the carnage which has led to thousands being injured every year and dozens being killed in the 1990s because of speeding police cars.

Last month, he called for vehicles answering emergency 999 calls or in pursuit to slow down in built-up areas.

It followed the revelation that in 1997/98 2,123 people were injured and 15 killed by police cars on emergency missions and the accident in February when Channel 4 newsreader Sheena McDonald was injured by a speeding police vehicle.

Mr Prentice said today: "The Association of Chief Police Officers set up a working party to look into pursuit driver training and the group came forward last September with no fewer than 33 recommendations for action.

"They want to see a co-ordinated national approach to driver training and that's good. They want to see communication systems in police vehicles being able to be operated hands free and that makes sense.

"And they also want line managers to take more responsibility for the supervision and development of driving skills which should be reviewed annually through an appraisal system.

"Finally they want forces to keep details of police drivers' accident history within a system which enables high risk drivers to be identified for review."

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