Crackdown on poor driving sees 140 offences in Wiltshire in 12 hours
Offences included children carried in a vehicle in a dangerous manner
Last updated 26th May 2022
Officers from Wiltshire Police's Roads Policing Unit dealt with more than 140 offences across the county in just 12 hours yesterday (25th May)
The day of action, which saw approximately 20 officers target drivers failing to abide by the law, resulted in fines being issued and drivers reported to court for a variety of offences.
31 people were caught using their mobile at the wheel including in Salisbury.
Poor excuses
Sgt Will Ayres, who organised the event, said the mobile phone incidents were particularly frustrating.
“In total, we had five people reported for using a mobile phone while driving on the M4, and 26 further incidents of using a mobile phone across the county – this is so frustrating for myself and my colleagues because we deal with the devastation following serious collisions and often these collisions are a result of somebody using a mobile phone while driving. Notifying someone that their loved one is no longer here as a result of somebody being distracted at the wheel, especially when it is so preventable, is one of the worst experiences you can have in this job. We hear plenty of excuses when it comes to dealing with incidents of this nature – ‘I was just replying to my friend’, ‘I was responding to a work email’. All of these things can wait until you have stopped driving – I am sure your colleagues or friends would agree, that it’s more important that you arrive late than not at all. "
A number of drivers were found not wearing a seat belt whilst a man in his 40s was arrested in Swindon on suspicion of drug driving.
Offences included children carried in a vehicle in a dangerous manner
In Salisbury a woman was stopped on Southampton Road with two young toddlers not in car seats, she was given a fine and points on her licence.
In on particularly shocking incident a driver was found with planks of wood over a newborn baby.
Sgt Will Ayres explained that could have serious consquences for the child.
“One of the most shocking cases from today was an incident in Swindon in which a driver was reported for the offence of ‘using a vehicle when there is a danger of injury due to position and security of load’ – his car was loaded with large pieces of wood over the top of a newborn baby in the rear of the vehicle. It doesn’t bare thinking about what could have happened had there been a collision, or the driver had been forced to take evasive action.”
Other offences included speeding with 10 people reported for breaking the limit, while a driver in Tidworth was stopped for having an insecure load, whilst several vehicles were found to have no tax or MOT or the driver didn't have a licence.
“Road safety is a key priority in my police and crime plan as a direct result of communities highlighting how important the issue is to them. From listening to these concerns, and the operational advice received from the Chief Constable, I was also able to ensure investment from the precept was allocated to boost the number of officers and vehicles to ensure we are making Wiltshire safer for all.”
Unmarked HGV used to help detect offences
The day of action also incorporated Operation Tramline - a joint initiative between National Highways and NRPOI (National Roads Policing Operations And Intelligence) which involves an unmarked HGV patrolling the M4 between Bath and Swindon.
During the course of the day, three speeding motorists were stopped, five drivers reported for using a mobile phone, five people for not wearing a seatbelt, one person reported for careless driving, one for insufficient view and one for a lane offence.
Road safety key priority
Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson also joined officers during the day of action.
“Days like this are so important to show Wiltshire Police will robustly target those drivers who fail to abide by the rules on our roads. Proactive, targeted, policing of the issues that matter to communities builds trust and ensures the force is delivering a service that meets the need of its communities.
“Road safety is a key priority in my police and crime plan as a direct result of communities highlighting how important the issue is to them. From listening to these concerns, and the operational advice received from the Chief Constable, I was also able to ensure investment from the precept was allocated to boost the number of officers and vehicles to ensure we are making Wiltshire safer for all.”