Dangerous drivers who act recklessly on UK roads are being warned of new police measures which look to crack down on motorists who speed, drink and drive and don’t wear a seatbelt while behind the wheel.
The campaign, featuring officers from Northumbria Police, is being led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and will run from April 1 to April 28 and will be operating across the UK.
It will see officers increase patrol activity and carry out more vehicle stops to help cut down on the number of bad drivers on UK roads and prevent future incidents.
The campaign follows research which found that almost 42,000 speeding offences were recorded last year with thousands of drivers also caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs while behind the wheel or using their mobile phone or without seatbelts.
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The campaign will run throughout April
GETTYSergeant Glen Robson, of Northumbria Police, said: “We all have a role to play when it comes to keeping our roads as safe as possible for all users.
“Statistics show that drivers travelling at excess speed or while under the influence are major contributory factors in serious and fatal road traffic collisions.
“We also see a number of drivers flouting the law every day by using mobile phones and devices at the wheel, or failing to comply with widely known safety rules such as wearing seatbelts.
“While these offences are something we focus on all year round, our efforts will be stepped up throughout the month of April to help identify those driving dangerously in our region.”
This is the second campaign to target mobile phone use by the NPCC, which earlier this year enhanced its effort to prevent drivers from using devices in cars.
Stats from the organisation found that between January 2023 and March 2024, officers recorded a total of 1,163 mobile phone-related driving offences around Northumbria.
The initiative intended to remind road users of the dangers of calling, texting, or using the internet while driving and the penalties for breaking the law.
The current penalty for using a device while driving is up to six penalty points and a £200 fine. If taken to court, drivers could face a maximum fine of £1,000 or £2,500 if driving a lorry or bus or have their licence taken away in more severe cases.
Robson added that the police will continue to take "swift and appropriate action" against those who endanger the lives of other road users, and would encourage anyone with concerns to contact the authorities.
Drivers who are caught speeding, however, could be hit with a minimum £100 fine and three penalty points added to a licence.
Meanwhile, drivers who get behind the wheel without a seatbelt correctly fitted could get a heavier penalty of up to £500.
The same fine applies to drivers operating vehicles with children under 14 who are not wearing their seatbelts correctly.
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Drivers can face a £200 fine for using a device behind the wheel
GETTYThe increased police activity looks to tackle the “Fatal Four” contributing factors which cause the most serious accidents and deaths on the roads.
These have been flagged as speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while distracted and not wearing a seatbelt.