Drivers caught before blitz on the ‘fatal four’
POLICE caught a number of drivers using their phones or committing other offences in Runcorn and Widnes before a crackdown on four of the main causes of fatal crashes in Cheshire.
Cars were stopped just days before this week’s operation, which runs September 12-18.
In Runcorn, 17 drivers were caught, 15 of whom were on the phone and two were not wearing seatbelts.
Over the weekend, Widnes police seized an uninsured van and arrested the motorist after he tested positive for cocaine.
They also seized a car for having no insurance.
Cheshire Constabulary’s Fatal Four campaign targets drink and drug driving, excessive speed, not wearing seat belts and misuse of technology.
A force spokeswoman said that there had been a series of fatal collisions on the county’s roads in recent weeks.
The constabulary’s campaign has been timed to run alongside the national efforts as part of the TISPOL European traffic police seatbelt campaign.
Insp Steve Griffiths, of Cheshire police’s taskforce operations, said: “Reducing serious and fatal collisions on our roads remains our biggest priority.
“Of course, we look out for the fatal four every day when policing the county’s roads, and we take action whenever we come across drivers who are committing these offences.
“But operations like these enable us to focus our efforts and educate motorists about how their driving can have an impact on not only themselves, but other road users such as motorbikes and cyclists.”
David Keane, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, said: “During my conversations with Cheshire residents road safety has been an issue that has been frequently raised as a local priority and it is essential that our police service takes a proactive role in keeping the county’s roads safe.
“Irresponsible behaviour behind the wheel can have wide-reaching effects. I fully support the Fatal Four campaign and the work being undertaken to ensure our roads are safe for everyone in our communities.
“Educating motorists is an important part of this work but where people choose to ignore the law and impact on the safety of others it is only right that action is taken.”