Devon and Cornwall Police tackle 'unsafe driving' as part of targeted operation
Figures reveal 98% of road accidents are caused by human error and could have been prevented
Devon and Cornwall Police are tackling five of the biggest causes of road traffic collisions across our region.
The proactive work is targeting the ‘Fatal Five’. Two days of action have taken place in Torquay on Wednesday 16 April and in Teignbridge on Friday 25 April.
Patrols officers and Specialist Roads Policing Officers are working in partnership to target drivers who commit road traffic offences which put the safety of themselves and others road users at risk.
This is an educational campaign aiming to increase awareness about road safety and the ‘fatal five’ common causes of collisions:
The operation aims to identify drivers breaking the law and aims to educate others on the fatal five most common causes of serious injuries and deaths on the region’s roads known as the fatal five.
The day of action will see the teams working to proactively target dangerous and inconsiderate driving in Teignbridge and surrounding areas.
• Devon & Cornwall Police is dedicated to making progress towards reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 50% by 2030.
• Road deaths should not be an inevitable result of travelling on the road network in Devon and Cornwall.
• The PCC, Alison Hernandez is an active supporter of road safety activity and leads all PCCs nationally on this area of work.
• Our roads policing team are in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in order to proactively target bad drivers and make our roads safer.
• The ‘fatal five’ are the five most common causes of collisions; inappropriate or excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distraction (including using a mobile phone), driving under the influence of drink or drugs and careless and inconsiderate driving.
• 98% of road accidents are caused by human error and could have been prevented. Road safety is in the hands of road users.
Temporary Chief Inspector Dean Drury, Head of Road Policing, said: "I would like to thank the officers involved in this proactive operation to target those drivers who put themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk of serious harm.
"We know that these Fatal Five offences in particular are considerable contributory factors in causing the most serious collisions on our roads. On too many occasions, officers and our emergency service partners have to attend the aftermath of road traffic collisions where people have been seriously injured, or tragically killed.
"Therefore, to reduce the pain and suffering felt across our communities after a serious collision has occurred, we will continue to target those drivers who continue to commit offences and cause harm on the roads on a daily basis as part of our patrols. Officers will also be undertaking targeted operations such as this one, across all areas of Devon and Cornwall.
"There is no excuse for committing these offences and taking these risks when driving."
Statistics for the day of action in Torquay:
• 9 x vehicles seized, including for drivers holding no insurance or licence
• 3 x drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs
• 1 x disqualified driver arrested
• 6 x mobile phone offences
• 5 x people found not wearing a seatbelt
• 1 x person found driving without due care
• 131 x drivers were found to be travelling at excessive speeds
• 7 x other vehicle offences
All drivers have been educated on the dangers of their actions. Where suitable, drivers have been reported and suitable penalties will be issued, including speed awareness courses, points on licenses and fines. Full release can be found here: News Article - Devon & Cornwall Police