Drivers in Cheshire East under the spotlight during roads operation

Officers across the east of the county have conducted a day of action on local roads, stopping and engaging with nearly 60 drivers.

On Wednesday 15th April, officers from Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe carried out a roads focused day of action to coincide with the launch of Operation Spotlight.

The national operation, launched earlier this month, aims to educate road users about the dangers of the Fatal Five, which are:

• Careless driving
• Drink and drug driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Using a mobile phone
• Speeding

Using powers under Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act, officers stopped 24 vehicles in Macclesfield, 21 in Crewe and 12 in Congleton – a combined total of 57 vehicles.

Of those nearly 60 vehicles, over half (33) were found to be committing road traffic offences.

Offences included using mobile phones while driving, failing to wear seatbelts, and drivers not taking due care behind the wheel.

Officers also conducted eight searches of vehicles and drivers.

Police Sergeant Claudia Bolton, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said:

“This operation is about engaging with as many road users as possible, promoting road safety, and enforcing road traffic legislation where necessary and proportionate.

“Of the near 60 drivers we spoke to over the course of the day of action, well over half were issued with road traffic tickets for a number of offences, including lack of insurance and vehicle registration issues. There were also a high number of Fatal Five offences committed.

“We want all road users to think about how they drive, consider the conditions of the road and assess their surroundings to help reduce the risk of serious and fatal collisions that can have devastating consequences for many people.

“We are always extremely proactive in our approach to tackling offending motorists and are committed to doing all we can to make our roads safer for everyone. We do not simply do this for the sake of it, we do it to save people’s lives.”

Full results:

Macclesfield:

• 24 Vehicles stopped under S163 RTA
• 18 TORs issued for Seatbelts, Mobile phones, Due care
• 6 Educational words of advice given
• 2 stop searches

Congleton:

• 12 x Vehicles stopped under S163 RTA
• 3 x Mobile phone TOR issued
• 1 x No insurance TOR issued
• 1 x Non-conforming VRM TOR issued

Crewe:

• 21 x Vehicles stopped under S163 RTA
• 10 TORs issues
• 11 Educational words of advice given
• 4 person stop searches
• 2 Vehicle searches