A quarter of drivers stopped in Northampton police operation had committed an offence

The focused day of activity in Northampton town centre targeted those suspected of the ‘fatal four’ offences, which are drink or drug driving, speeding, using a phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.

PC Dave Lee, from the Safer Roads Team (which is run jointly with the fire service), said: “We’re committed to reducing the number of people being killed or seriously injured in collisions by targeting those who commit the ‘fatal four’ driving offences, as well as other breaches of driving law.”

During the operations, 115 vehicles were stopped.

These included:

-One driver who was arrested for failing a roadside drug-wipe test and for possession of a class B drug. His vehicle was also impounded for having no road tax.

-Six drivers were reported for failing to wear their seatbelt. One passenger was also reported.

-Seven drivers were reported for no insurance and one passenger was reported for permitting the use of a vehicle, knowing the driver wasn’t insured.

-Three drivers had no driving licences.

-Two drivers were reported for no tax.

-Four drivers were issued with vehicle defect rectification notices, which gives them 14 days to have defects repaired instead of facing prosecution.

-One driver was reported for having no front numberplate.

-In total, two vehicles were seized for having no tax and five for having no insurance.

Penalties or actions for the above offences included education workshops, penalty points and fines or the option to attend court.

The day formed just one part of Operation Journey, an ongoing programme of work to crack down on motorists who commit driving offences and help reduce the number of collisions on the county’s roads.

PC Lee said: “Enforcing these laws is just part of our work as we also take part in activities to carry out engagement and education activity in the community, to help get those vital safety messages across to drivers young and old.”