Over 50 drivers stopped on first day crackdown in Wiltshire
Police operation Project Zero tackles bad drivers and offenders
More than 50 drivers have been stopped on the first official day of Project Zero, Wiltshire Police’s latest operation to tackle driving offences and offenders across the county.
Roads Policing officers were joined by neighbourhood and response teams with a specific focus on the so-called Fatal Five. They are:
- Excess speed
- Drink/drug driving
- Driving while using a mobile phone
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Careless/dangerous driving
Every week the Roads Policing Unit will move around the county to target offenders in different towns and villages.
Sgt Will Ayres said:
“This joined-up working meant a greater presence was available across Swindon and officers were able to specifically target reported offenders within the community."
“The main focus of Project Zero is to target the ‘fatal five’ offences. These are the offences statistically proven to majorly contribute to death and serious injury on the road.”
Throughout the day the Roads Policing Unit arrested two people; one for drug driving and the other for drug driving and possession of heroin and crack cocaine.
The team also dealt with four minor injury road traffic collisions, 28 Traffic Offence Reports such as speeding, using a mobile phone, insecure load, using a vehicle in a dangerous condition, careless driving and contravening a red traffic light.
There were a further 19 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for offences such as not wearing seat belts, illegal window tints and number plate offences.
Sgt Will Ayres also said added:
"Operations like this are vital to ensure road safety is at the forefront of driver’s minds. It is easy to become complacent towards driving when it is something that you do every day, but it’s so important that when you get behind the wheel of a car, that the road has your full attention and that you’re driving within the speed limit."
“We’re fully committed to keeping our roads safe and this project will help us target those who continue to drive at standards that fall well below what you would expect of a safe and competent driver.”