Avon and Somerset Police catch hundreds of speeders in day of action
They say speed, seatbelts, careless driving, phone use and using drink or drugs are behind most fatal crashes in the region - called the 'Fatal 5'
A car has been recorded at nearly 100 miles an hour on the M5 in a special police day of action in North Somerset.
Under 'Operation Toro', which continues to be carried out across the West Country, officers in Weston-super-Mare spotted more than 200 people speeding in Weston-Super-Mare back on the 20th of March.
They say far too many people are still going over the limit - adding speed, seatbelts, careless driving, phone use and using drink or drugs are behind most fatal crashes in the region.
These are otherwise known as the 'Fatal 5'.
In the town centre, officers from the Road Safety, Neighbourhood and Mounted teams put on display a badly damaged car that was involved in a fatal crash in Bridgwater in November 2022 - with permission of the family of a teenager who died.
In that specific incident, 28-year-old Luke Hawkes was jailed for dangerous driving after he ran a red light in his Ford Transit van and hit the Citroen DS3 in which Bethany Branson, 19, was a passenger.
She passed away at the scene, with police saying the car serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving.
Road Safety Officer PC Daniel Cox said: “We saw a range of reactions from the members of the public we spoke to today. Many expressed sadness and disbelief at the sight of the crumpled car; and anger that despite the well-known risks, drivers continue to make reckless choices that endanger lives.
“I feel that they went away armed with a greater understanding of how we can all play our part in keeping the roads safe.”
Enforcement activity was also a key part of Operation Toro, and during the day of action, police made:
- 233 speed detections, with a top speed recorded of 96mph on the M5
- 5 uninsured vehicles seized
- 1 fixed penalty notice issued for use of a mobile phone at the wheel
- 7 drivers identified and reported for not wearing a seatbelt
- 1 driver arrested for drug driving following a roadside drug swab
- 1 illegal motorbike seized
- 13 illegal vehicle number plates reported
Officers also attended a car fire at the M5 junction 21 slip road and worked with Avon Fire and Rescue colleagues to make the area safe.
Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Roads Policing lead at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Committing any of the Fatal Five offences dramatically increases the likelihood of being involved in a fatal or serious injury collision.
“It is essential that we hammer the message home, through a consistent policy of education and enforcement, that dangerous and careless driving can and does result in tragedy.
“We will continue to actively target those drivers who deliberately flout the law and put themselves and other road users at risk. But we also need the public to drive change. Tell us if you have information about dangerous driving on our roads. You can do this by contacting Crimestoppers with information; or by uploading JourneyCam footage via our website, which will be reviewed and acted upon if an offence has been committed. In an emergency, always call 999.”
North Somerset Inspector Lee Kerslake added: “On behalf of the North Somerset policing team I’d like to express my thanks to all officers involved in this operation. Their presence on the roads and in the town centre created a noticeable impact and the fantastic results from the day are helping to make our roads safer for all.”