Operation to target fatal four on Derbyshire’s roads gets national recognition

A month-long operation to target the fatal four offences on our roads saw a 53 per cent drop in the number of KSI (killed or seriously injured) collisions in Derbyshire.

Op Rapidity ran throughout March with officers targeting a different one of the fatal four – drink and drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing your seatbelt – each week.

Over the course of the operation, more than 900 offences were identified with 41 vehicles being seized.

Twelve people have been prosecuted for drink driving and four people have been prosecuted for drug driving after being stopped during the campaign. More than 90 drivers were found to be using their mobile phones and 144 drivers were found to not be using a seatbelt with 12 child car seat offences identified. In addition, 163 drivers were detected speeding during the operation, which also saw officers dealing with five disqualified drivers, 31 people who were driving without a licence, 56 motorists with no insurance and 16 without an MOT.

Twenty vehicles were found to have tyre defects and 120 insecure loads and 27 overweight vehicles were all stopped.

Twenty seven due care offences were also recorded during Op Rapidity.

The initiative has also attracted praise from the national lead for road safety due to the decrease in the number of KSI collisions.

Inspector Greg Hunt of our Roads Policing Team said: “Sadly as roads policing officers we have to deal with the aftermath of fatal collisions all too often.

“Many of the fatal or serious collisions we attend have involved at least one of the fatal four offences so we are committed to educating motorists on the dangers of these actions.

“It’s important that anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle is aware of the very real consequences their behaviour can have on other people.

“Initiatives such as Op Rapidity are a vital part of our work to keep everyone who uses Derbyshire’s roads safe.

“It was pleasing to see such a large decrease in the number of killed or seriously injured collisions during Op Rapidity but the numbers of people found to be committing offences and dealt with during the initiative shows there is still some work to do.

“We’d encourage all drivers to please help keep themselves and others safe by ensuring they do not get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, make sure seatbelts are correctly fitted and worn, and do not use mobile phones while driving.

“A second’s distraction can be all it takes to cause a serious or fatal collision. None of us ever want to have to deliver the news that a loved one isn’t coming home so please always ensure you are fit and safe to drive and your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before you set off. Once on the road, stick to the speed limits, give your journey your full attention and don’t be tempted to pick up your mobile phone – all we want is to make sure you get to your destination safely.”

Chief Inspector David Nicholls, of Operational Support, said: “Around 63 per cent of all fatalities within Derbyshire involve one or more of the fatal four offences with speed being the top contributory factor in road deaths. These are all avoidable collisions in one way or another. Operations such as this are key to keeping people safe on our roads so we will be doing more of them. We will use every available tactic to deal with high risk road users or those that flout the laws of the roads causing danger to others.

“If anyone suspects someone of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”