Proactive patrols in Swindon to tackle road safety concerns during lockdown

Officers in Swindon have been addressing local concerns around road safety during this lockdown with proactive activity.

With the Community Speed Watch programme unable to run due to current restrictions, officers across the Force are stepping up activity in addition to their normal duties.

On Thursday (21/01) officers targeted areas that have been reported by the public for having concerns around speeding.Speed checks were carried out on Tadpole Lane, Green Street, where concerns have been raised of speeds close to the primary school, Blunsdon and Wanborough Road.

Checks were also carried out by officers on Cricklade Road and Thamesdown Drive.

During the activity, officers stopped and dealt with:

11 drivers stopped and words of advice given
1 vehicle issued with a road traffic offence report for driving at 41mph in a 30mph zone
1 vehicle issued with a road traffic offence report for driving at 42mph in a 30mph zone
1 vehicle issued with a road traffic offence report for driving at 43mph in a 30mph zone
1 vehicle issued with a road traffic offence report for driving at 53mph in a 30mph zone
1 Vehicle Defect form issued to a driver for having no front number plate displayed on their vehicle
1 motorist was reported to court for driving at 51mph in a 40mph zone
1 motorist was reported to court for driving a vehicle overweight (47%)

Inspector Rachel Hardy said: “It is important for us as a Force to be listening to the concerns of the public and addressing them where possible.

“Our aim is to disrupt criminal activity, ensure safe speeds and safe vehicles on our roads and ultimately protect road users.

“Our first day of proactive activity was a good one and the overweight vehicle alone presented a clear danger to other road users.

“Just because we are in a lockdown and the roads are quieter, it is not an excuse to break the law and it will not be tolerated. I’d like to remind people as well that only essential journeys should be being made at this time.

“We will continue to target the fatal four factors that increase the chance that a collision will result in a serious injury or fatality.”