Published at 05:14, Friday, 21 August 2009

A POLICE operation to tackle menace motorists in north Allerdale has seen a “significant” reduction in accidents involving young drivers.

Extra patrols took to the streets around Wigton, Aspatria and Silloth concentrating on accident blackspots and looking for young drivers after force figures showed motorists under 25 are more likely to be involved in accidents than any other age group.

“The roads around Wigton and north Allerdale have suffered more than their fair share of collisions and the tragic loss of young lives,” said Inspector Peter Garforth.

“Officers from North Allerdale and the roads policing unit have so far issued a number of fixed penalty notices and vehicle defect rectification notices to young drivers mostly in relation to speeding and defective tyres.

“Two drivers have been reported for driving without due care and attention and several warnings have also been handed out for antisocial use of vehicles.

“Officers have also been handing out leaflets advising young drivers how anti social behaviour in vehicles can effect others and what powers the police may use to deal with such behaviour.”

The campaign began at the start of August and has seen speed traps used at blackspots and bobbies have been on the lookout for ‘antisocial use of vehicles’ – drivers pulling skids and stunts such as wheel-spins.

Officers will be further pushing the road safety message at the Wigton motorclub show at Dalemain on Sunday 23rd August where they will be displaying a number of vehicles including the ‘bike safe’ superbike.

The operation will continue to run through to the end of August.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk