Casualty Reduction Operations Carried Out Throughout May

A number of roads policing operations have taken place throughout Cleveland across the month of May, aimed at casualty reduction.

Throughout the month there have been road safety operations carried out as part of Global Road Safety Week, Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death), multiagency checks of vehicles alongside local authorities and Operation Tramline; where officers use a tractor unit from National Highways to look into the cabs of heavy goods vehicles and other vehicles.

Three arrests were made on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, 24 people were identified as using mobile phones whilst driving (some of whom were identified filming at the scene of a collision), 18 people were found to be under the influence of alcohol whilst driving, three were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, 25 not wearing seatbelts and over 1100 speeding offences were detected over the course of the month – with one driver travelling at 57mph in a 30mph zone. Another three vehicles were travelling above 50mph in a 30mph zone.

Other offences detected included ten drivers with no insurance, ten vehicles found to be contravening a weight limit, four driving without due care and attention, one driver failing to be in proper control of a vehicle and two driving otherwise than in accordance with their licence.

Sergeant Mark Kewley said: “The operations carried out during May demonstrate how effective they can be in identifying road traffic offences, specifically those increasing the potential for collisions and consequential casualties.

“Adopting both an engaging, educational and enforcement outlook, it is the objective of Cleveland Police Roads Policing Unit, and Cleveland Road Safety Partnership, who provided additional funding for these operations, to raise awareness of the casualty reduction message whilst robustly targeting those who repeatedly do not take seriously their personal responsibility in correctly maintaining their vehicles and adhering to the rules of the road, which are designed to keep us all safe. 

“Where enforcement action was taken, an educational message was also given, which in the majority of cases was well received.

“Further operations will take place, and again I would like to thank the safe drivers of Cleveland.”

Speed checks on the A171 after complaints of speeding and dangerous driving. 

Further speed checks.

Op Tramline

Lorry in contravention of weight limit.