THERE is 'no evidence' of an increase in people using the Isle of Wight's quieter-than-normal roads to flout the speed limit, says Hampshire Constabulary.

The force says its teams have been patrolling the Isle of Wight throughout the coronavirus lockdown.

Scroll down for a statement...

Traffic has begun to increase, as Islanders slowly start to return to work and school, in line with the government's message not to use public transport where possible.

Hampshire Constabulary says specialist officers will be sent to areas of the Isle of Wight if there is evidence of speeding, or if there is an increase in the number of collisions in an area.

Isle of Wight County Press:

In a statement to the Isle of Wight County Press, the force said: “Within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, our officers are aware that people may be seeing more traffic on the roads. Yet there is no evidence that people are, in general, making a conscious decision to drive at excessive speeds on quieter roads.

“Our Roads Policing Unit have been carrying out patrols across the county and on the Island, aimed at discouraging these types of behaviour and enforcing the law in the same way as the public would expect of us.

"Just as before the coronavirus crisis, high risk driving and riding continues to result in deaths and serious injuries on our roads, all of which puts a lot of additional and unnecessary strain on the NHS and other emergency services on the frontline.

“If there is an evidence-base or proven increase in collisions of a serious nature in certain areas of the Island, we will seek to deploy our officers to these locations. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our local communities, and through the use of marked and unmarked cars, vans and motorcycles, we are maintaining an active presence on the roads."