MORE than 200 traffic offences were detected in Frome, when Avon and Somerset Police carried out a proactive roads police day of action.
Known as Operation Toro, the operation was carried out on Tuesday 21st November, as part of Road Safety Week, organised in response to public concerns following a number of serious collisions in the Frome area in recent months.
The operation was supported by police speed enforcement units and Community Speed Watch volunteers who were stationed on key routes around the town to detect motorists travelling at unsafe speeds.
There were 204 speed detections with a top speed recorded of 55mph in a 30mph limit; Frome Community Speed Watch volunteers monitored thousands of motorists travelling through the town, of which 49 will be sent a warning letter, along with advice to help change their driving behaviour.
Five uninsured vehicles were seized; one fixed penalty notice was issued for use of a mobile phone at the wheel; three drivers were identified not wearing a seatbelt; and one driver was arrested and later charged with drink driving after a roadside breath test revealed them to be over the legal alcohol limit.
Officers also stopped a vehicle linked to a reported assault and seized an offensive weapon.
Somerset commander, superintendent Lisa Simpson said, “We’ve listened to members of the public here in Frome who are telling us that they are concerned about road safety, particularly motorists driving too fast on roads near schools and residential areas.
“Additionally, we are seeing a worrying number of serious and fatal collisions in 2023, a number of which have occurred on key routes in the Frome area.
“This was a highly successful day of action in which several offenders were taken off the roads before they could cause harm. I hope it will be the first of many such operations across our towns and cities, aimed at preventing future tragedies.”
In the town centre, officers from the Road Safety, Neighbourhood and Mounted teams provided a visible and reassuring presence, engaging with members of the local community to provide road safety advice. A crushed vehicle was on display to serve as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of driving uninsured or without a valid licence.
Roads Policing officers were also patrolling the area with the support of the drone team, utilising Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) to identify potential traffic offences such as uninsured driving.
Mendip Community Speed Watch coordinator, Ashley Reay said, “I can find no reason to agree with those on social media who seek to mock focus days like this, when offences like having no insurance, drunk driving, no MOT, excess speeds and so on were found.
“The motorists taken off the road on the day had no right to be there in the first place, having not paid the road taxes due and those who are mocking the police effort would do well to remember that there will be many grieving families this Christmas missing loved ones that have died due to excess speeds or the like.
“The police have already carried out a follow-up to the focus day, where another 50 motorists will be prosecuted for excess speeds. When I am asked if the police do not have better things to do, I say there are no better things to do than saving a life.”
