Gwent Police officers have been patrolling the M4 motorway as part of a focussed operation to target irresponsible/ illegal driving.
Roads Policing officers used unmarked vehicles to identOfficers target drivers committing offences on M4ify drivers committing offences. Offences were filmed and the footage may be used for evidential purposes.
57 road traffic offences were detected during the operation which took place over 8 days throughout January and February this year.
Offences detected included driving without a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving, careless driving (including one person flossing their teeth while driving), vehicle defects (including light failures), vehicles being driven over their weight limitation, vehicles being driven carrying insecure loads, no driving licence and a learner driver towing a load.
All offences were dealt with either by a fixed penalty notice or the driver being reported for summons.
Inspector of Roads Policing for Gwent Police, Lee Ford said;
“It is very concerning that a number of drivers are driving irresponsibly and carelessly on our motorways.
The potential risks that some of the offences detected as part of this operation can have on not only the safety of the driver involved, but also other road users, should never be underestimated.
You may think that you are a very experienced, competent driver but it only takes a couple of seconds for your attention to be distracted and result in very serious consequences.
Road safety laws are in place for the benefit of all drivers and road users and should always be adhered to. Responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is road worthy and your documentation is in order should never be neglected.”
Officer will be repeating the exercise throughout the year.
