Drive to curb the fatal four
A DRIVER reading a newspaper at the wheel and another texting on a busy crossroads were among the many motorists caught during a police crackdown on Dales road offences.
As part of Operation Lifeguard, officers have been monitoring roads across Derbyshire to target drivers committing one of the ‘fatal four’ factors that contribute to road collisions.
These are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone at the wheel and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Among the stops – from locations at Cromford, Bradwell, Grindleford, Curbar and Buxton – 70 drivers were booked for seatbelt offences, 16 for using mobile phones at the wheel, three for speeding and one driver was fined £560 for using red diesel illegally.
At Cromford crossroads, one driver was spotted flicking through a newspaper while driving along the A6.
Chief Inspector Steve Wilson, head of Roads Policing, said: “Some drivers don’t realise how seriously the fatal four can affect your chance of being involved in serious or even fatal collision.
“The majority of drivers stick to the rules but there are still pockets of road users that openly disregard them – and it is these drivers we are committed to educating and bringing to justice if necessary.
“It is astounding that many drivers don’t wear their seatbelts, which save lives, or use their phones while at the wheel and it is simply shocking that someone would have a newspaper on their lap while on the road.”
The checks took place between November 19-26, to coincide with the charity BRAKEs annual safety campaign.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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