A TOP traffic officer is warning of the potential for a serious crash on a busy Bournemouth road.

As part of Dorset Police’s No Excuse crackdown on dangerous driving, officers have caught hundreds of speeding drivers, seized vehicles and fined drivers who have no licence or insurance.

The dedicated team is pulling no punches in its latest crackdown, detecting around 350 offences with more than 240 people recommended for driver awareness courses and 19 vehicles seized – four of which were for anti-social driving.

Under Dorset Road Safe the team, comprising experienced traffic officers and the special constabulary, is targeting areas where residents have raised concerns as well as collision hotspots at Magna Road, Constitution Hill and New Road in West Parley.

Sergeant Stuart Pitman who is leading the renewed campaign said they were closely monitoring Magna Road in Bournemouth due to its potential for a serious accident.

He described the conditions and manner of some people’s driving as a “fatal collision waiting to happen”.

“That is why we are spending a lot of time here,” he added.

“This team is fully committed to stopping people getting injured and killed on our roads.

“The number of fatal collisions I have dealt with and the catastrophic impact that has on innocent families who never recover makes me and this team entirely dedicated to this project. It’s that message we need to get home to people.”

As well as speeding, the focus is on mobile phone use, non-wearing of seatbelts, careless and drink-driving.

The Daily Echo spent an afternoon with No Excuse officers PC James Leonard and Special Sergeant Rob Scott in Bourne-mouth.

During the six hours the team was stationed in Magna Road it detected 29 speeding offences in total.

En route, officers pulled over a woman using her phone as she drove around the Mountbatten Arms roundabout.

Officers spoke to her and recommended she went on a driver awareness course.

Once on Magna Road, the laser speed camera was deployed catching a driver travelling at 38mph in the 30 zone.

The motorist was given words of advice by PC Leonard who explained that each incident is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

“We look at the manner of driving, how many points the driver has, if they have attended a driver awareness course recently.

“For many people, it’s a matter of becoming complacent. We’re here to try and educate drivers. Obviously the course is far more appropriate for some offences than others.”

One woman, who was caught doing 43mph in the 30 zone, was handed three points and a £100 fine.

She said: “I did it. I’m guilty. I wasn’t taking enough notice and I have no problem with what they are doing.”

Another woman clocked travelling at 38mph in the 30 zone said: “I deserve to be caught.

“I have got no excuse; I went too fast. I try to be mindful like everybody but I knew there was a 40mph zone coming up.

“I think what they are doing is right. This road is a rat run.”

Another lady, who was stopped for having no insurance, but cleared once checks were made, said: “PC Leonard was charm personified.

“Why should I pay a lot of money for people not willing to heed the law?”

Another man driving a flatbed van at 40mph disputed the recorded speed, saying his vehicle’s speed gauge wasn’t working.

He was given three points and will attend court as he only attended a course a month ago.

Minutes later a woman had her vehicle seized for no insurance. She had a lapsed insurance policy which had not been renewed.

The driver was fined £300, given six points, with £150 cost to recover the vehicle, plus a daily charge of £20 storage for up to 14 days.

RESIDENTS WELCOME CRACKDOWN

Magna Road resident Bob Brown has welcomed the crackdown.

“I’ve lived here since 1975 and seen five fatal collisions out there”, he told the Daily Echo.

“It’s brilliant to see the officers; I offer them tea and have a chat. Many of them are specials who have given up their own time.

“We all get a little complacent but there are people driving like its Silverstone or Brands Hatch.”

Mr Brown, who has set up a community speedwatch group, said residents are pleased to see the team taking their concerns seriously.

His neighbour Lisa Arnold agrees, saying she won’t let her children go anywhere near the road, due to the speed of some drivers.

DRIVERS CONFESS

Most drivers spoken to by police officers admit their error, Sgt Pitman says.

But some people try to mitigate the situation with excuses.

They include: “I didn’t see you, I was reading my letter”, “I’m not used to this car” and “I’ve got trouble with my fuel pump and it cuts out if I go too slow”.

One driving instructor, who only completed a driving awareness course two months before, told officers who pulled him over for speeding that he was late to pick up his student.