Motorists stopped in police road safety campaign

Dec 1 2008 By Steve Stratford

MORE than 75 motorists were stopped by police in North Wales in its latest road safety campaign.

Operation Options has been deemed a huge success following a week long road safety effort between the police and fire services in Wales. In North Wales, 76 motorists were stopped by police officers outside three different fire stations during Road Safety Week (November 10-14). All those stopped were either not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving or a passenger not wearing a seatbelt.

When given the option, just six people opted for the fine/ penalty points and 69 preferred to come through the doors of the fire station and watch a hard-hitting, 15 minute presentation. One person was arrested for driving whilst disqualified. Most of those who attended the presentations said they would tell others about it and said it had changed their perception of the dangers of driving without a seatbelt or whilst using a mobile phone.

Twenty-one offenders were stopped by police in Colwyn Bay, and a further 24 in Deeside and 31 in Bangor.

Richard Fairhead, community safety manager for North Wales Fire Service, said: "It is encouraging that nearly all the motorists who were stopped and chose to watch the presentation changed their perception about how important it is to take simple road safety measures such as wearing a seatbelt.

"However, it is very concerning that people are still choosing to risk their own safety when behind the wheel as well as that of other road users."