Rush hour traffic camera footage shows the impact of lockdown 3 on Sunderland's roads

North East Traffic’s cameras, which are usually busy highlighting hotspots across the city’s road network, show some of Wearside’s busiest routes all but deserted as huge numbers of people stay home.

Car use dropped as low as 22 per cent of normal levels during the first national lockdown in March and April as millions swapped desks for dining tables to work from home or spent months on furlough.

And today’s images suggest there will be a repeat, as the new lockdown rules require people to work from home wherever possible and ban non-essential travel.

But that could also mean renewed risks for those who are out and about on Wearside’s roads.

The ban on people using their cars for all but essential journeys during the first lockdown in March and April saw road traffic in central Sunderland fall by almost two-thirds.

However, some motorists viewed the almost empty highways as a green light to flout speed limits, despite the increased number of pedestrians on the roads.

Some drivers were observed traveling an average of 38% faster in the previous March and while many drivers stuck to the limits, speeds measured on the city’s roads increased by an average 8mph between February and March.

Campaign group Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) said it had seen a notable shift in both driver and pedestrian behaviour on the region’s roads during lockdown.

More people were walking, cycling and jogging in the roadway in order to maintain social distancing, making it more important than ever for motorists to drive safely and keep an eye on their speed.

Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport Coun Amy Wilson, said: “It is appreciated that the majority of residents are adhering to the lockdown and only making essential journeys.

“However, we must remind road users to be responsible and drive within existing speed limits. This will help reduce the risk of road traffic collisions and the involvement of emergency services at a time when there are unprecedented demands on the NHS due to COVID-19.”

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