‘Fatal five’ traffic offences targeted in South Devon
On day one (Wednesday 14 June 2017) of Operation Allied Wolf, Alliance Roads Policing officers carried out enforcement on the South Devon Highway (A380 bypass). In the first half hour alone six drivers were caught driving at over 70mph. Information about the operation and full day one results can be found below, after this update.
Pictured: PD Charlie who uncovered concealed drugs in a stopped car.
Results for day two (Thursday 15th June) of Operation Allied Wolf:
(All references are to the Road Traffic Act 1988)
2 vehicles seized under section 165a (one was re-insured at the side of the road)
1 arrest for positive drugs test
1 roadworthiness prohibition for commercial vehicle (PG9)
1 graduated fixed penalty notice (GFPN) re. weight of commercial vehicle
7 seat belt offences 2 referred to Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS)
1 no tax
3 reported for no insurance and/or no licence
1 warning lighting offence
1 speed education
3 no MOT 1 warning for excessive tints on window glass (removed at the side of the road)
20 officer seen conditional offers (OSCOs) excessive speed
2 OSCOs for use of mobile phone
1 OSCO for vehicle registration mark (VRM or number plate) offence
1 OSCO red traffic light offence 3 common use warnings
Results from Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) and Her Majesties revenue and Customs (HMRC) across the operation include:
36 vehicles tested for illegal fuel, no offences detected. Two vehicles seized by the DVLA, and one clamped.
Operation Allied Wolf in action in Torbay and Teignbridge [published 15 June]
On Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th June 2017, officers from the Alliance Roads Policing Team (RPT) of Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police, working alongside staff from South Devon, took part in an intensive roads policing operation, one of a series dubbed ‘Allied Wolf’.
The intention of Operation Allied Wolf is to deter and disrupt organised criminality which makes use of the regions roads and to reduce road casualties by targeting the ‘fatal five’ causes of fatal and serious injury collisions; excess speed, distraction, not wearing seatbelts, careless and inconsiderate driving, and impairment whether through drink or drugs.
During this operation, officers have focused their attention on Torbay and Teignbridge and arterial routes into the area, including the A380 South Devon Highway where local concerns have been raised around excess speed on the new road.
Marked and unmarked roads policing vehicles were used. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, either on-board police vehicles or supplying intelligence remotely, was used to target officers towards known local and traveling criminals.
A variety of motoring and criminal offences were detected during the first day of the operation in Torbay and Teignbridge, which include:
(All references are to the Road Traffic Act 1988)
10 vehicles seized (section 165a)
1 arrest for driving while disqualified
2 arrests for positive roadside drug swipe test (section 5a)
1 arrest for possession with intent to supply (“PWITS”) a Class B drug
3 cannabis warnings
5 verbal warnings for various issues
5 referred to Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS)
2 reported for excess speed 3 reported for using mobile phones handheld
12 reported in relation to having no insurance and/or no licence
5 roadworthiness prohibitions for commercial vehicles (PG9s)
19 Officer Seen Conditional Offers(OSCOs) for various offences
Operation Allied Wolf was a joint operation which saw roads policing officers from both Devon and Cornwall and Dorset forces working together as part of the Strategic Alliance between the two police forces, alongside staff from South Devon, and in partnership with the D.V.L.A. and H.M. Revenue and Customs.
Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, head of Roads Policing for the Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police Alliance, explains why the operation is being run: “Throughout both days, we have targeted a number of offences including what are known as the ‘fatal five’.
“The fatal five are driving behaviours that are shown to cause fatal and serious injury collisions. These are drink and drug driving, which causes impairment; using mobile devices such as phones behind the wheel, which causes distraction; inappropriate speed, careless and inconsiderate driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.”
Chief Inspector Leisk continued: “The overall aim of Operation Allied Wolf is road casualty reduction, at the same time helping to minimise crime and traffic related incidents in the area. The same officers who are involved in this operation are those who have to knock on doors to tell people that a loved one is never, ever coming home. This is a job which never gets any easier and acts as a motivating factor to create the environment where drivers are more aware of the harm they could cause.
“Operation Allied Wolf has proved itself to be a very effective tool for improving road safety and also for providing an excellent opportunity to educate road users about unacceptable driving behaviours.
“Criminals use vehicles to travel and commit crime. Those who pay little attention to wider laws will not comply with the legal requirements around using motor vehicles. This is an excellent opportunity to take them off the road, reducing their mobility and ability to cause harm to our communities.
“We are also now supported by the new legislation relating to using a mobile device while driving; Penalties have now doubled to a £200 fine and 6 points on your license. Newer drivers, and those who already have points on their license, may find themselves off the road very quickly indeed if caught.
“You can be sure that we will be paying particular attention to this habit which is as unacceptable and as dangerous as driving when impaired though alcohol.”