http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/cumbria-police-spot-45-driving-offences-during-safety-campaign-1.753512?referrerPath=newsCumbria News and Star wrote:
Cumbria police spot 45 driving offences during safety campaign
By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter
Police spotted 45 driving offences and seized a number of cars during a three-week blitz on young menace motorists in west Cumbria.
Six people were caught speeding, eight drivers were spotted using mobile phones and 14 were not wearing seatbelts.
Nine defects were found on cars, two motorists were caught driving with dodgy tyres and two were pulled over for dangerous behaviour.
All were handed fines, while an extra four will face a court over a mixture of speeding or rogue driving allegations.
Police highlighted the results as part of a joint campaign with the News & Star to try to bring home to drivers the risks of reckless driving.
The crackdown, carried out in Copeland throughout most of August, was run as part of Operation Orwell – which targets bad driving among motorists aged 25 and under.
Inspector Andy Wilkinson, in charge of roads policing in north and west Cumbria, spelled out the reasons behind the operation.
“This age range is the one most likely to be involved in road traffic collisions,” he said.
“More importantly, they are more likely to be involved in the more serious collisions.”
Officers put this down to a mixture of lack of driving ability, a higher likelihood to not be wearing a seatbelt and a greater chance of rogue behaviour while behind the wheel.
Operation Orwell runs alongside normal police patrols and can target accident blackspots and areas where there is known to be a problem with rogue drivers.
Officers also hold events in which other agencies such as the fire service are brought in to speak to drivers and highlight the consequences of bad driving.
Insp Wilkinson added: “We are actively committed to reducing collisions involving all age groups.
“We try to encourage road safety and safe and courteous driving – but we will actively prosecute those who put others at risk.”
Great to see that POLICE actually SEIZED cars from some offenders - yet they don't get called "Safety" Police!
Also 6 speeding out of 45 offences shows how many offences are overlooked by speed cameras!