Hundreds caught on M5 in speed crackdown

HUNDREDS of drivers were caught speeding on the M5 in Somerset on a single day of action by police.

More than 270 traffic offences were detected near Weston-super-Mare, with 233 of these being for speeding.

Operation Toro is part of Avon and Somerset Police’s drive to raise awareness of the “fatal five” driving offences – the five factors which most commonly lead to fatal traffic collisions. These are speeding, not wearing seatbelts, careless driving, use of mobile phones and drink/drug driving.

As part of the operation, speed enforcement units, roads policing officers and the drone team worked across the area to identify drivers committing offences on March 20.

During the day-long crackdown, officers detected 233 speeding incidents, with a top speed of 96mph recorded.

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.”

During the day, five uninsured vehicles were seized; one fixed penalty notice issued for use of a mobile phone at the wheel; seven drivers were reported for not wearing a seatbelt; one driver arrested for drug driving following a roadside drug swab; one illegal motorbike was seized; 13 illegal vehicle number plates were reported.

Chief Insp Cheeseman said: “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.”

The second part of the operation focused on educating motorists on the dangers of committing any of the fatal five. The road safety, neighbourhood and mounted teams displayed a severely damaged car in Westonsuper-Mare which had been involved in a fatal crash.

In November 2022, a Citroen DS3 was hit by a Ford Transit van driven by 28-year-old Luke Hawkes, who ran through a red light in Bridgwater.

Nineteen-year-old Bethany Branson, a passenger in the Citroen, died at the scene and Hawkes was jailed for dangerous driving.

The car has been donated, with permission from Bethany’s family, for educational purposes.

Pc Daniel Cox said: “We saw a range of reactions from the members of the public we spoke to.

“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.”