The police have revealed that Operation Vortex, targeting those who flout road safety laws has seen 277 drivers in Devon and Cornwall prosecuted by officers for various traffic offences and over 1,000 motorists caught speeding.

The crackdown saw unmarked police vehicles targeting drivers over 10 days of action between Tuesday 1st September and Wednesday 16th September.

On top of the 277 offences dealt with by drivers at the roadside, safety camera vans detected a further 958 speeding offences on key routes throughout the two counties.

Chief Inspector Steve Lenney, Head of Roads Policing, said:

"This large-scale enforcement operation delivered by our dedicated officers and staff demonstrates our commitment to tackling those who wish to abuse our road network and put others in danger.

"It was run as a result of a rise in recent fatal collisions even against a backdrop of 100 days of lockdown. Last weekend alone, we saw four people lose their lives on our roads, that is four decimated families, not four traffic jams or delayed journeys.

"Our aim of operations such as this would be to prosecute or ticket no one. The results highlight that motorists need to change their behaviour to prevent our officers turning up at your doorstep and looking into the eyes of family and friends to tell them that their loved one has died. No one wants that.

"Speeding makes up the vast majority of offences detected, with excessive speed being a major contributory factor in around one-third of all collisions.

"The faster you drive, the less time you have to react and sadly our officers regularly see the devasting consequences speeding can have. During this operation, officers caught one motorist doing 117mph in a 70mph zone and this is simply inexcusable.

"Everything we do, is driven by you, so we would appeal to motorists to behave sensibly on our road network, concentrate on their driving, make sure their vehicle is roadworthy and insured and ultimately do everything they can to ensure they themselves and those around them get home safely."

The results of Operation Vortex included:

- 15 drivers arrested for drink and or drug driving, 12 of whom were suspected drug drivers.

- 76 drivers detected travelling above 90mph in a 70mph zone, with the highest recorded speed being 117mph.

- 73 drivers not having valid insurance, with 35 vehicles seized.

- 16 drivers caught using their mobile phone at the wheel.

- 6 disqualified drivers identified and taken off the roads.

- 15 drivers ticketed for not showing due care or attention to other road users.

- 14 vehicles not having a valid MOT.

- 10 people driving otherwise in accordance with their licence, typically provisional licence holders without L plates and qualified supervision.

- 2 drivers in possession of suspected class B drugs.

- 50 various other offences including vehicles being in a dangerous condition, tyre offences, driving through no entry signs, excessively tinted windows, vehicles being overweight, occupants not wearing a seatbelt or number plate offences.

A survey has been put out, which is open until the end of the month. The results will feed into a Department for Transport call for evidence on road safety.

Click here to take the survey.

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