A MAYOR is demanding better training in accident management for police - after being twice caught in traffic jams at minor accidents.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon, who is a former police superintendent, said Cleveland Police traffic officers were contributing to congestion problems through mismanagement at collision scenes.

And yesterday, he instructed Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for public safety, to relay his demands to Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price and the Cleveland Police Authority.

Mr Mallon told a meeting of Middlesbrough Council's executive yesterday that three weeks ago, he found himself in two tailbacks caused by minor collisions, within five days of one another, on the A66 at Middlesbrough.

He said that both times, the dual carriageway was "clogged beyond belief".

On the first occasion, a police traffic car was parked at an angle, with the blue light flashing, protecting a vehicle with minor damage.

On the second occasion, there were three police cars at the scene of a one-vehicle minor accident.

He said to Coun Coppinger: "I would like you to speak to Sean Price and inform him his traffic officers need training in relation to the way they deal with minor accidents on the main roads of Middlesbrough and elsewhere, because they have contributed to the traffic congestion of this town, no end."

The mayor used his experiences to back a call for a radical transport strategy and measures to wean people from their "insatiable desire to drive motor cars".

Mr Price told The Northern Echo: "When a vehicle is damaged and immovable, it is the duty of the traffic officer to protect themselves and other road users from collision and to secure the area until a recovery vehicle is at the scene.

"Tragically, experience has shown that a minority of motorists, not paying attention, have collided with marked, illuminated vehicles on a number of occasions causing death or injury.

"Parking at an angle reduces the shunt and protects officers and the public at the scene."

Mr Price added: "We know being caught in this type of traffic jam can be frustrating, but the safety of the public is paramount and officers work expeditiously to have traffic flowing through and safely, as soon as possible."