Careless Drivers Targeted By Police

Greater Manchester Police is catching careless drivers in the act as they target irresponsible road users putting lives at risk.

As part of their commitment to keeping Greater Manchester roads safer, the Fatal 4 Specialist Operations Branch and Safer Roads Policing team have been targeting drivers who are intent on putting others at risk. 

This April, officers are shining a spotlight on Fatal 4 offences nationally, which are drink and drug driving, distraction, including the use of mobile phones, speeding and the use of seatbelts. 

Day-in, day-out officers in the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) undertake proactive operations around the behaviours that contribute towards road traffic collisions. 

Using resources such as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) as part of the National Highways Operation Tramline and the use of a Bee Network bus,camera cabs, it allows officers to travel around key routes, including Mancunian Way, into Trafford and Salford during peak periods and using the elevated height to catch drivers in the act, usually whilst distracted by the use of their phone. 

The offences are captured on camera and where possible the Motorcycle Unit swoop in to educate the driver at the time after pulling them over in a safe location. 

This is part of the ongoing work with Transport for Greater Manchester and Vision Zero and the education element around the ‘Fatal 4’ to help reduce the number of serious collisions and improve road safety through the common factors of speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, not wearing a seatbelt and mobile phone use. 

During the two operations, several offences were recorded, which included: 

Traffic Offence Reports: 19 

Fixed Penalty Notices: 5 

Notice of Intended Prosecutions: 13 

Prohibition Notice: 1 

Arrest: 1 

On occasions, drivers and motorists were observed using their phone, whilst the vehicle was being driven and on one occasion an HGV driver was caught watching TV in the cockpit. 

Other specific instances included: 

Use of no Seat Belt: 1 

Incorrect Registration Mark: 1 

Not having Proper Control: 2 

Inconsiderate Driving: 8 

Use of mobile phone: 15 

Careless Driving: 2 

Driving without Due Care & Attention: 1 

Driving without valid Insurance: 1 

Vehicles Seized: 1 

Arrest under the influence of drink and/or drugs: 1 

Sergeant Neil Dalley from the Commercial Vehicle Unit said: “Commercial vehicles especially have a disproportionate impact due to the size and weight on other road users and pedestrians, which can ultimately have fatal consequences if not given their full attention and respect. 

“That is why our focus is aimed at reducing the number of those killed or seriously injured because of commercial vehicles but working with the Safer Roads Partnership to continue education and enforcement in equal measure for all road users. 

“We will continue to run operations like this throughout the year targeting those committing Fatal 4 offences on our roads as the road always requires your full attention. 

“We are constantly trying to send a clear and strong message that if you do take the chance of being on your phone whilst driving you are breaking the law.

"This means you will receive the relevant punishment when caught, which can include potentially losing your licence, having to pay a large fine and in some cases of causing serious injury having to spend time behind bars meaning it isn’t worth the risk. 

“Anyone can report their concerns through the usual methods, but especially through our Operation Snap portal online where we can look to take retrospective action if caught on dashcam footage for those who commit offences such as this on a regular basis.” 

GMP is working with road safety partners across Greater Manchester on Vision Zero in a bid to end deaths and life-changing injuries on the roads by 2040.