Sussex Police campaign supported by Harry Dennis's mum

Harry Dennis, from Hastings, was killed in a collision near Bexhill when a plank from a passing van smashed through the windscreen of his dad’s car.

The 11-year-old was in the front seat of the car when an unsecured scaffolding board protruding from the side of the van broke through the windscreen on December 15, 2022.

Mum Maria said Harry 'loved to make everyone laugh' (Image: Family handout)

Russell Le Beau, the driver of the van, was sentenced in March of this year to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for seven years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving at Lewes Crown Court.

His mother Maria Dennis gave her support to national road safety campaign Operation Spotlight, which took place last month.

Throughout July, officers from Surrey Police and Sussex Police joined other forces across the UK to shine the spotlight on the “fatal five”  factors which are considered the main causes of serious injury or fatal collisions on our roads.

The loose load just moments before it hit the vehicle Harry was travelling in (Image: Sussex Police)

These factors are dangerous or careless driving, driving while distracted such as by using a mobile phone, drink or drug-driving, driving at excess speed, and not wearing a seatbelt.

July is recorded as being one of the worst months for people being killed or seriously injured on our roads in the UK.

Across both forces, 3,205 vehicles were stopped by officers, and more than 2,000 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and traffic offence reports (TORs) were issued.

There were 188 arrests and 170 drivers were reported for summons for driving offences.

Some 697 roadside breath tests were issued and 260 roadside DrugWipe tests were issued to detect offenders who were drink or drug-driving.

The damage caused to the vehicle (Image: Sussex Police)

Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit (RPU) Chief Inspector Chris Tinney said: “Officers carried out increased proactive patrols across both counties to deter and catch offenders, to prevent serious collisions before they happen, and ultimately save lives.

“During the campaign we heard the experience of Maria Dennis, who spoke eloquently about the devastating consequences for her family and the ongoing impact of an entirely preventable collision.

“We want to prevent other families having to experience the same heartache.

“Operation Spotlight coincides with the rise in deaths and serious injuries which occur in July, with on average more than 2,700 people killed or seriously injured in the UK each July over the past five-year period.

Russell Le Beau was convicted for causing death by dangerous driving (Image: Sussex Police)

“The roads are busier due to summer holidays and days out and with more vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians on the road. It is all the more reason to drive safely and be more vigilant.

“Reducing the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads is a key priority for both forces.

“This operation shows the importance of educating and engaging with road users and demonstrates our determination to catch offenders.”