8:27pm Tuesday 18th August 2009
By Julie Magee
MORE than 100 drivers were issued with fixed penalty tickets in just three days following road safety checks across Dorset.
During Operation Vortex dedicated teams of traffic officers used marked and unmarked cars as well as motorcycles to patrol the county’s roads.
The operation was part of a concerted campaign in the South West to promote road safety and tackle motorists who flout road traffic laws.
The figures are released as Britain’s magistrates said police could not be “relied on” to hand out £60 fixed penalty fines for careless driving because it was a “certainty” that officers would misuse their powers.
Between August 11 and August 13 a total of 134 fixed penalty tickets were issued in Dorset including 55 motorists detected for failing to wear a seat belt and 45 motorists found to be using their mobile phone while at the wheel. Other tickets were issued for a range of motoring offences including speeding and driving without insurance or a valid MOT.
Chief Inspector Bob Nichols said: “The number of drivers caught in just three days is alarming and what is especially worrying is the number of motorists using a mobile when driving or not wearing a seat belt. Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text message.
“Offences such as not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone while driving can have devastating consequences; at the very least a £60 fine as well as three penalty points for mobile phone offences. I’d urge people to consider whether it’s really worth it.
“We need the support and co-operation of all motorists to help to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.”
The Magistrates Association this week issued its comments in response to the government’s plans to allow police to issue £60 fixed penalties for careless driving.
Dorset Police said they were in agreement with the comments of Mick Giannasi, Chief Constable of Gwent Police and ACPO lead on Roads Policing.
He said they broadly supported the proposed option of fixed penalty notices for careless driving offences but that education was the key and driver improvement schemes would be used as an alternative to fines and penalty points.
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