136 arrests made by Wiltshire Police during major road safety campaign
The Force has unveiled figures from the initiative
It looks like some drivers in our region need to start behaving themselves.
For six weeks in the early part of 2021, Wiltshire Police launched a campaign to increase road safety activity, following public concern during lockdown.
Between 15 January and 29 February, the Force made 136 arrests on the county's roads.
84 of these were for drink driving, with 88 caused by drug driving. Some suspects were arrested for multiple offences.
The operation led to:
- 254 road traffic collisions being attended
- 130 speed checks carried out
- 168 Traffic Offence Reports issued
- 129 vehicles with no insurance
- 41 drivers on the phone
- 81 drivers with no licence or driving otherwise in accordance to their licence
During this action period, a national campaign to crackdown on driving whilst using a mobile phone was also running.
According to officers, this is one of the fatal four reasons that make a collision more likely.
Crashes under these circumstances also increase the likelihood of serious injury, or death.
'That is time well spent'
Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said:
"Whilst we know the majority of road users across Wiltshire abide by the law and drive safely, this additional proactive activity just highlights the sheer amount of work carried out on a daily basis to keep the county’s roads safe.
"We have learned some important lessons from this recent activity in our approach and we will continue to target those putting the lives of road users at unnecessary risk, by the manner of their driver or the state of their vehicles.
"We often get feedback that we should be spending time catching 'real criminals', but if we can save lives being needlessly lost on roads in Wiltshire, then that is time well spent".
SPEEDING SCHEME TO RETURN
Last year, Wiltshire Police's Community Speed Watch scheme had to be stood down due to COVID restrictions and the safety of the volunteers.
The Force has now announced that this initiative is making a comeback on March 29.
'The majority of road users do so legally'
Jerry Herbert, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said:
"Road safety will continue to be an important part of the Police and Crime plan whether we are in lockdown or not.
"The Community Speed Watch scheme makes a welcome return at the end of the month supported by a new enforcement officer that has been well received by the volunteers to add some weight to their fantastic activity.
"I’d stress the majority of road users do so legally but the Force will continue to work with our partners from the local authorities, Fire and Rescue Service and Highways England to address the issues that have been highlighted by this activity to ensure safe roads across the county".
Any residents who spot someone breaking the law are now being urged to call police on 101, giving as much information about the motorist and car as possible.