Almost 100 vehicles stopped during latest operation to tackle motoring offences

Officers checked almost 100 vehicles and made six arrests as part of the latest operation to crack down on motoring offences.

As part of the two-week national campaign to raise awareness around the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and to tackle those who put road users and pedestrians at risk, Gwent Police hosted two road safety operations in Newport last week.

Operation Utah is designed to identify and tackle motorists putting others at risk – either by driving illegally or by driving vehicles not up to a safe standard.

The latest Utah operations took place on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 August at the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) weighbridge and test site at Newport’s Coldra roundabout.

The multi-agency operation included officers from the roads policing and specialist operations team, the dog section, we don’t buy crime team, response officers, and staff volunteers.

Officers teamed up with partners from the DVSA, Go Safe, The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and The Equipment Register (TER).

Throughout the two days, the operation saw:

• 98 vehicles stopped
• six arrests on suspicion of drug driving
• 60 traffic offence reports issued
• four vehicles seized for being driven without insurance
• one stolen vehicle recovered
• GoSafe record 129 motorists driving above the speed limit
• DVSA issue 51 immediate roadworthy prohibitions.

In August, the force launched its latest campaign to raise awareness around the dangers of driving under the influence, and target motorists who put others at risk by committing one of the ‘Fatal Five’ – drink and drug driving, excessive speed, distracted driving, driving while not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Superintendent Mike Richards said:

"While most motorists drive within the law, some selfishly put motorists and pedestrians at risk by driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

"It's completely unacceptable. Our officers have had to respond to 19 fatal road traffic collisions over the last twelve months, and, consequently, had to visit parents, siblings and friends to tell them the awful news that their loved one(s) had died.   

“Throughout our campaigns, and year-round, our roads policing officers, family liaison officers (FLOs) and more are joining emergency service partners in reiterating one simple message: do not risk your life and the lives of others by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“It’s one of the biggest causes of death on our roads and these campaigns are important in making our roads safer and raising awareness around the consequences of driving under the influence.

"Nobody wants to be the cause of a major collision, let alone be the reason a family is told by one of our officers that they've lost a loved one.”