Motorists targeted by police

MOTORISTS who flout the law by speeding and using mobile phones while driving are being targeted as part of a new police operation. Officers in unmarked cars and motorcycles will target lawbreakers, part of operation Vortex, launched last Monday. The init

MOTORISTS who flout the law by speeding and using mobile phones while driving are being targeted as part of a new police operation.

Officers in unmarked cars and motorcycles will target lawbreakers, part of operation Vortex, launched last Monday. The initiative aims to promote road safety.

The three-month-long campaign will involve teams of police staff embarking on a concerted effort to improve motorists' behaviour and reduce injury collisions.

Inspector Richard Pryce, of Devon and Cornwall police, said: "Certain drivers have a complacent attitude towards using the roads.

"This leads to arrogance and flagrant abuses of road safety through a wide variety of offending.

"This can include careless and dangerous driving or riding, high speeds, driving using a mobile phone, not being in proper control through in-vehicle distractions or intimidating behaviour like close following.

"Such driving behaviour can result in catastrophic consequences. In a co-ordinated effort, we intend to act robustly against such drivers to make our roads safer."

The first Vortex scheme took place in November 2007 and the second in March last year.

In both operations, 1560 motorists were dealt with for offences. There were 838 dealt with for speeding; 322 for driving using a hand-held mobile phone and 219 for wailing to wear a seat belt.

Insp Pryce said law-abiding motorists had nothing to fear from this initiative. He added: "Education has its place in road safety as does enforcement.

"We want drivers to realise it is they who must take responsibility for using the roads within the law.