A proactive operation to target poor driving behaviours across the Isle of Wight saw the mainland-based Roads Policing Unit head across the Solent at the weekend.
Activity was carried out across both Saturday 22nd January and Sunday 23rd January with a number of notable actions taken against drivers flouting the law.
Officers used marked and unmarked vehicles, including a number of motorcycles.
Across the weekend a total of 49 tickets were issued to motorists for a number of road-related offences as follows:
- 29 tickets for speeding
- 2 tickets for illegal number plates
- 1 ticket for an incorrectly fitted breakaway cable
- 6 tickets issued to drivers who weren’t wearing seatbelts
- 1 ticket issued for driving without a licence
- 1 ticket issued for a vehicle which was not roadworthy
- 1 ticket issued for an untaxed vehicle
- 3 tickets issued to uninsured vehicles
- 1 ticket issued to a vehicle with an insecure load
- 1 ticket for a vehicle parked on zig zags at a pelican crossing
- 2 tickets for cars using altered exhausts
- 1 ticket issued to a motorcyclist with a tinted visor
In addition, the teams also assisted at the site of a collision involving a tractor, as previously reported by Island Echo.
A 22-year-old man was also arrested in St Georges Way, Newport on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of drug driving. He has been released but remains under investigation while enquiries continue.
Later that evening, officers came across a vehicle in a hedge on the entrance lane to Quarr Abbey. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged. Beverley Morris, aged 31, of Wilton Park Road in Shanklin, has been charged with drink driving and has been bailed to appear at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 11th February.
Following the weekend’s activity, District Commander for the Isle of Wight, Superintendent Jim Pegler, said:
“The policing of dangerous and poor standards of driving, committed by motorists on the Isle of Wight road network, is something that I will continue to focus on to improve safety for road users.
“I am pleased that we have been able to take action against people who have failed to meet the required standards of safety on our roads.
“If you are driving a vehicle on the Isle of Wight, my strong advice is that you pay attention to the condition of your vehicle, have the required documentation and drive carefully with consideration for other road users.
“Choosing not to do so can have serious consequences and puts lives in danger, including your own. It is not worth the risk.”
And not one ticket issued for driving to slowly (driving without due care and attention)
Coming to a hedge to you soon, ‘Lord lucan’, the driver who thinks you don’t have to slow down in icy conditions.
Keep up the good work
Meanwhile many motorist will still be tearing up our local drag strip (AKA Medina Way) at grossly excessive speeds. Put some cameras on it and make a fortune.
Come back next weekend please, there’s rich pickings.
Glad they got altered exhausts, plenty more of them around, especially in the evenings.
Maybe but remember they’re not all illegal but they must be declared on insurance
Wrong. There is a legal limit to the noise they can make. Go back to driving school.
Ok and if they are below that limit they are not illegal, he said not ALL
How could the Policing unit be on the island for the whole weekend and not come across any cars being driven 5-10 mph below the speed limit. I seem to get caught behind these drivers on every journey lately along with many others. This is just as dangerous as speeding as it causes frustration for drivers to the point where they take risks to pass that they normally wouldn’t.
You should drive at a speed that you are happy and feel safe at. Just because it says 40 doesn’t mean you have to travel at that speed. If i want to go 10 miles an hour under it, i will. It’s drivers like you that get right up behind someone’s arse and cause accidents by pressurising some one to go faster. Drive sensibly , it’s not a race. If you’re worried about getting delayed, then leave earlier. That’s where “COMMON SENSE” comes into your journey. The island is not a race track, drive sensibly.
Good luck to you when the new rules come in on Saturday, coz you’ll have to give way to other road users alot more…..
If you was taking your driving test and drove at 10 mph under the speed limit, you would not pass and receive a failed, you are trained to drive at the speed of the road and other road users, as long as conditions allow
You really talk compleat rubbish…
Please get off our road…..and stay off..
This is misleading. Students have always been taught that the speed limit is not a target. There is no number placed on what is too slow rather it is a judgement call on what is deemed to be reasonable given the circumstances.
Mmmmm you should drive at a speed within the limit and your capability and one which is appropriate to the road and traffic conditions.
I did a police advanced car and motorcycle course a few years ago and the officer who took the course said you must always providing safe to do so travel at the speed limit. Its known as progressive driving.Too slow and too fast cause problems.
Problems for who?…..could it be for idiots…
I was told the same, and actively encouraged to drive up to the speed limit on a regular basis.
If you all use your cruise control we will not need to police to supervise us.
The whole point of the Speed Limit is that it is exactly that.. it is the Maximum Speed Limit for that piece of road. The driver can travel at a speed below it but Not above it.
I take it that you have No Time for Cyclists, Horses or People Walking their Dogs along the road either.
Sorry he is right. You should drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions up to the posted limit. If your driving at 30mph in a 50mph limit on a clear, dry day then you are not driving according to the conditions. If you feel unsafe doing this, then hand back your licence. Oh and I also cycle and walk. As a cyclist I get fed up with motorists who are too hesitant. Who can overtake but don’t. Its creates danger for the cyclist by creating a large queue that has to get by me. By coincidence these drivers tend to be the ones who drive at the same speed everywhere. 30mph in a 40/50 or national limit. They also nearly always pass the lights on amber. Leaving you stuck at the lights.
totally agree, they also do 40 in a 30,40 in a 40, 40 in a 50 and 40 in a national. Lack of confidence i would suggest
Speed limits are maximum limits, nothing wrong with 5 mph under..
If you have an aggressive attitude, please get of our roads…..get yourself some anger management treatment..
Driving slowly isn’t a crime. That’s making them responsible for your bad driving which just proves how weak you are. Anything I do wrong is the fault of someone else. Take responsibility or hand your licence in.
Driving slowly is not necessarily a crime. In this case it seems to say more about you than it does them. The fact you want to blame someone else for your own shortcomings shows how weak you are. Take responsibility for your own actions or hand your licence in.
Actually…In the eyes of the law, driving too slowly or braking without good cause is an offence under the scope of inconsiderate and careless driving. These are defined as driving a vehicle without reasonable consideration for other people.
I expect to see you in a head soon. If you had not noticed been a few people driving at the speed limit coming off the road because of ice.
P.s. The speed limit is the maximum not the minimum.
When are the police going to do weekend crackdowns on arson, criminal damage, late night disturbance breaking and entering vandal chavs instead of victimizing easy bait motorists?
Rather than increasing Council Tax
The Police should use money raised from fines.
Also fine people for parking on pavements and parking on double yellow lines
there was a report somewhere that councils will soon be able to enforce pavement parking, the council are responsible for the enforcement for all parking contraventions including parking on zig zags, however the police have the power to issue tickets for cars parked on zig zags and also issue 3 points too
Didn’t do a good job then if a whole unit,any Friday evening I see more speeding ( not just 35 in a 30 more like 70 and maybe a ton on dual carriageway) reckless driving, noisy exhaust , mobile phone use, just walk around any car park see bald tires,loads no insurance. Any one can check out if a car has mot,tax and insurance- try it and might surprise you.
Might be worth prosecuting people who suddenly jam their anchors on to let somebody out of their driveway.
Next week you’ll be jamming your anchors on whilst turning left into a junction, to allow pedestrians to cross in front of you, and there will be a very good chance a following vehicle will end up in your back seat. Check out the new rules in the Highway code – pedestrians and cyclists. They’re bonkers.
It’s your responsibility to maintain a safe distance. If you run the risk of hitting someone stopping suddenly then you’re too close.
Ah you mean the flash happy group, Horsebridge hill is the best when a member of the flash happy group travelling towards newport flashes a car waiting at a giveway at noke common to come without first checking the rear view mirror and then that person has caused everything behind them to stop whilst all the traffic travelling towards cowes carries on, then the flash happy member realises their mistake and start to proceed. Thats like stopping in lane 1 on a motorway to allow the slip road traffic to join. Driving over here beggers belief
Question, when does a ‘temporary’ speed limit become permanent?
A3056 Sandown Road was reduced temporarily in early 2020, if I understand correctly a ‘temporary’ RTO expires after 18 months.
( ticket issued to a motorcyclist with a tinted visor ) what a bloody joke .
but you can wear sunglasses under a clear visor as old bill do