Police target poor and inconsiderate drivers

Officers from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset’s Road Policing Team will be mounting a week long campaign, targeting drivers of all types of vehicles who flout road traffic laws on roads.

Operation Vortex targets poor, inconsiderate and complacent driving across the region and aims to reduce the number of collisions and casualties on our roads.

A team of officers will be carrying out patrols in unmarked vehicles and on motorcycles on various roads across Devon and Cornwall this week (from Monday 18 April).

Officers will be observing driver behaviour and dealing with all offences they find.

Sergeant Gary Williamson of the Road Policing Team said: “We are working hard to reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads. The figures to September last year showed there were 44 people killed and nearly 600 seriously injured on our roads.

“It is well known that the ‘Fatal Four’ all contribute to the causes of these collisions; namely drink driving, excessive or inappropriate speed, not wearing your seat belt and using mobile devices whilst driving.

“Our aim is to ensure that the minority of road users who commit these offences are caught and dealt with appropriately.”

Op Vortex will be taking place on roads across the region, including the M5, A38, A30 and the A380. Drivers caught will face the prospect of a fine and points on their licence, a court appearance and even imprisonment for more serious offences.

Op Vortex aims to not only deal with road offences, but to also educate the public and road users on the possibly life-changing outcome that their poor driving habits could lead to.

Sgt Williams said: “I’d ask motorists to consider how not having a driving licence would affect them and their livelihood, but also the possible fatal consequences of their poor driving habits and having to live with a tragedy they were responsible for.”

“Law abiding road users have nothing to fear from this operation; our aim is to deal robustly with the drivers who disregard the law and drive in an antisocial and dangerous manner, putting other road users and themselves at risk.”

Operation Vortex has previously proved to be a success in Devon and Cornwall showing that roads where this type of enforcement has taken place has seen a reduction in the number of collisions that happen while the patrols are working.

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, head of the Devon and Cornwall and Dorset’s Road Policing Team said: “We are reducing the overall numbers of casualties on our roads; but there is still much more to do in this area. We still average almost two people a day killed or seriously injured on our roads. Operations such as this shows how we strive to reduce the number of life-changing tragedies and to make the roads of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset as safe as we possibly can.”

Operation Vortex is a co-ordinated drive to reduce that number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Despite using plain patrol vehicles, this is a high visibility operation with motorists seeing police officers dealing with motorists every few miles on a stretch of road.

Chief Insp Leisk said: “I hope Op Vortex will act as a reminder to all road users of their responsibility, and to ensure that they drive safely and legally.  My advice to all road users is simple; drive within the speed limit, always ensure you are fit to drive, wear your seat belt, and do not be distracted when driving.”

Some of the incidents reported on the Devon and Cornwall Police Twitter account include:

A Bulgarian lorry driver travelling on the M5 was caught and fined for watching films on his laptop whilst driving.

An Audi TT was clocked at 101mph. The “late for work” driver can look forward to receiving a ban.

An 18-year-old was given three points and a fine following a dangerous late exit off the M5 across multiple lanes. She blamed her Sat Nav.