Arrests after 'intensive' Easter road safety operation in North Yorkshire
Arrests have been made, vehicles seized and unsafe drivers have been taken off the roads during an “intensive and hard-hitting” weekend of action on North Yorkshire’s roads.
Arrests have been made, vehicles seized and unsafe drivers have been taken off the roads during an “intensive and hard-hitting” weekend of action on North Yorkshire’s roads.
There was an enhanced police presence on routes across the county, including villages, suburbs and rural and main roads.
North Yorkshire Police say the easing of some lockdown restrictions, fair weather and the long weekend led to lots of traffic – especially leisure motorists in scenic areas – and increased risk of collisions.
Units were deployed to key areas during a special Roads Policing Group operation, codenamed Op Boundary, to reduce collisions, target road-related offences and tackle other crime. The Craven/Dales area was a particular focus due to the type and volume of bank holiday traffic.
Officers dealt with unlicensed and uninsured drivers, unroadworthy vehicles, drink and drug driving, speeding, dangerous driving and intercepted criminals who use the road network. They also responded to several serious collisions that left motorists in hospital with serious injuries.
Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, who led Op Boundary, said:
“We’ve had a very busy but extremely productive weekend, the results of which speak for themselves.
“We’ve dealt with some serious road offences over the last few days and Op Boundary allowed us to focus on reducing collisions in key areas and keeping the roads as safe as possible.
“But it also meant our units were strategically deployed so they could tackle other offences, such as theft and burglary, which involve the use of our road network."
North Yorkshire Police say they listened to concerns from residents about road use in their communities and has been working with residents to target a range of offences, from speeding and excessive exhaust noise to dangerous driving and drink and drug driving.
Sgt Stringer added:
“We’re grateful for the strong support we’ve received from the public this weekend, whether it’s when we’ve been policing the roads in their communities, when talking to motorists at our pop-up BikeSafe base in the Dales and in comments on our social media.
“Everyone has a right to use North Yorkshire’s roads without being put at risk by an irresponsible minority. North Yorkshire’s roads aren’t racetracks and anyone who uses them illegally will be dealt with as robustly as possible.
“This is just the start of this intensive and hard-hitting campaign and we’ll continue this approach throughout the summer.”