Over 50 Road Safety Offences Detected in Weekend Operation

A road safety operation targeting ‘fatal four’’ offences this weekend in Cleveland led to over 50 drivers found committing traffic offences.

The fatal four are the main contributing factors in both fatal and serious collisions; these are not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distraction and speeding.

Matrix officers carrying out patrols this weekend (Saturday 15^th February and Sunday 16^th February) in the Cargo Fleet area of Middlesbrough found:

• Five drivers using mobile phones who were issued Traffic Offence Reports
• One driver contravening a red light was issued a Traffic Offence Report
• Two drivers found to be under the influence of drugs and arrested.
• One driver found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested.
• One driver with no insurance or MOT was fined £100
• One driver arrested after failing to stop for police and found to be disqualified and under the influence of drugs, with no insurance
• Two drivers found driving without due care and attention were issued with Traffic Offence Reports
• Three vehicles seized for no insurance and these drivers were issued with Traffic Offence Reports
• Two drivers not wearing seatbelts were issued Traffic Offence Reports
• The Camera Enforcement Unit found over 40 drivers travelling above the speed limit – the highest speed being 42mph in a 30mph zone

In the Hartlepool area, officers on proactive patrols also identified a vehicle driving with a load hanging over the side which had almost hit street furniture (pictured) on Maritime Road.

A 24-year-old man was reported for summons for driving with a load likely to cause danger and driving without the correct policy of insurance in place.

Matrix Sergeant Laura Black said: “This weekend we have proactively carried out road safety checks on our roads in line with our priorities of protecting communities and tackling criminals.

“With over 50 offences detected this weekend, we want to push the message to motorists that we are out there patrolling and looking for anyone committing offences as we try to protect people from harm. We will continue these highly visible operations.”