Cleveland roads policing officers launch national campaigns

Roads Policing Officers across Cleveland will be carrying out proactive patrols as they take part in two national safety campaigns this week, beginning today (Monday 27th February).

The campaigns are based on motorists’ having roadworthy vision and tackling mobile phone use at the wheel.

Whilst these issues are tackled all year round, officers will be placing additional focus on these issues throughout the week as part of their patrols.

Chief Inspector Darren Bainbridge, from Cleveland Police Special Operations Unit, said:

“Distraction, such as using a mobile phone whilst driving, is one of the four main causes of serious or fatal collisions. People see others driving whilst on their phones and it’s extremely frustrating that those drivers are not only are willing to take the risk with their lives, but with others’ lives too.

“The penalty for doing so could not only be points on your licence, or a fine, it could also cost someone their life, and we need people to think seriously about whether they want that on their conscience for the rest of their life, for the sake of glancing down to read a message or taking a call.”

In 2022, there were 143 motorists dealt with by Cleveland Police for driving whilst using a mobile phone.

C/Insp Bainbridge continued:

“Roadside screening for uncorrected defective eyesight is important to raise awareness that motorists need to have good eyesight, and anyone failing to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law but are putting themselves and other road users at risk.

“Under the current law, drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them to be unsafe on the road, or a fine or penalty points could be possible. Regular eyesight tests are recommended.”

The voluntary roadside vision screening will ask drivers to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres. All tests will be conducted in good daylight conditions, using a registration plate affixed to a vehicle at the correct measured distance (20m), with the driver wearing any eyesight correction (eg: spectacles) worn at the time of driving.

In addition to the 20m number plate test the legal eyesight standards require motorists to have adequate fields of vision. Full details of the legal eyesight standards for all motorists can be found at www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules.

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