Twelve people arrested as police target drivers to stop "serious injury and road deaths"

A total of twelve people were arrested during a South Devon police operation at the weekend to reduce driving offences and save lives.

During the course of the operation officers went to Totnes, Ivybridge and South Brent, as well as Torquay, Dawlish and Newton Abbot. 

They made 19 traffic stops on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June - four drivers were arrested for drink driving, four for drug driving, two for fail to stop/dangerous driving and two for burglary of a dwelling. 

Police also dealt with one offence of disqualified driving, one offence of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and two offences of possession of cannabis.

During the operation one vehicle was seized and one driver reported. Words of advice was also given to four drivers.

There are five main causes of serious injuries and deaths on the region’s roads – known as the Fatal Five. These are:

• Excess or inappropriate speed
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving while distracted, such as using your mobile phone
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Being unfit to drive such as poor eyesight or health

South Devon Patrol Inspector Wes Watkins explained: “We had a busy Friday and Saturday evening into the early hours with focused activity on the offences which make up the Fatal Five.

“Most road collisions are caused by human error, with only a small percentage caused by unavoidable issues, such as mechanical failure. Devon and Cornwall Police’s Roads Policing Team work hard to educate road users and patrol the roads of the two counties to prevent avoidable heartache.

“As the summer continues and drivers enjoy the lighter evenings and the many events on offer across Devon and Cornwall, we have a focus on prevention and giving advice. We urge motorists to plan lifts or use public transport and be responsible if they want to drink alcohol, for example. Driving tired also poses real risks.

"Police will continue to focus on keeping the roads safe throughout July, August and beyond. Our officers will be watching out for anyone behind the wheel who is committing any of the Fatal Five offences.”

As part of the latest operation the South Devon Patrol Team were supported by the Devon and Cornwall Police Roads Policing Team, Armed Response officers and volunteer Special Constables.

Police are urging drivers to make sure they are fit to drive before they get behind the wheel and not to risk being arrested, potentially losing their job or injuring themselves or another person.

Devon and Cornwall Police is part of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injury across the region.

Operation Snap is a secure online facility which allows submissions of video evidence relating to moving traffic incidents that members of the public have witnessed.

Anyone who has dashcam footage of traffic offences they wish to submit as part of Operation Snap can click here for more information Operation Snap - Devon and Cornwall Road Safety Team.

For more information please Vision Zero | A collaborative road safety community project.