Police operation catches 21 drivers
POLICE caught 21 drivers in Loughborough committing offences as part of an operation monitoring the four main causes of fatal crashes on the roads.
Drivers were targeted along Epinal Way, Loughborough on Wednesday, May 10 and officers focused on those speeding, using their phones while driving, not wearing seatbelts, and drink driving.
The three hour operation took place between 9.30am and 12.30pm and during the time 11 drivers and passengers were caught with no seat belts and face a £100 fixed fine.
Four drivers were caught using mobile phones and will receive a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence, and two were caught breaking the speed limit.
The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving doubled in March this year, and according to Jonathan Clarkson, of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership (LRRSP) these changes have a significant impact on newer drivers as they risk having their driving licence revoked following a first offence.
He also said that motorists are no longer be offered the opportunity to go on a driver awareness course if they are caught using a phone while driving.
The two drivers caught speeding could now face a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence or may have the option to complete a speed awareness course. They could face court if a very high speed was recorded or if it was a repeat offence.
In addition one driver was stopped because of a defective tyre, one was stopped and given a number plate caution, one was stopped because of an “L plate” caution and one was stopped for driving without due care.
Jonathan Clarkson went on to say: “Between January 2014 and December 2016, Leicestershire Police recorded the following FATAL4 traf- fic offences.
“126,030 speed, 2952 seatbelt and 2399 mobile phone, in addition 2680 people were arrested for drink /drug driving.
“Worryingly, in the same three year period, 300 road users, aged between 16 & 24, have been killed or seriously injured across the Leicestershire Police force area, we also saw over 1890 collisions involving this age group, all too often FATAL4 offences are a contributory factor.
“The FATAL4 operation was a success in Loughborough and we are hoping that the number of traffic related incidents declines, and people start to take more caution when driving in the area.”
“Police will continue to hold regular FATAL4 operations across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland throughout the year.”