Inspector Dave Brown

North Yorkshire Police’s current road safety campaign Operation Anvil has now seen over 25,000 vehicles stopped.

The campaign, launched on 18 March this year and supported by the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, has the sole aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads.

Out of the 25,000 vehicles, over 10,000 motorists have been prosecuted for a number of offences including drink driving, speeding, driving while using a mobile, seat belt offences, and insurance offences.

The campaign has seen collisions resulting in serious injuries reduced by 29%, fatal collisions reduced by 14% and slight injuries reduced by 14%.

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Strategic Roads Policing, said: “The reduction in casualties is extremely encouraging and is testament to the hard work and commitment of both our “95 Alive” partners and my officers at the forefront of the campaign.

“The ratio of drivers prosecuted to those stopped is also evidence that our intelligence and information gathering is targeting the right vehicles.

“However, the figures also show a significant number of motorists still continue to break the law. This is very disappointing and beggars belief that so many people are still willing to risk lives.

The ratio of drivers prosecuted to those stopped is also evidence that our intelligence and information gathering is targeting the right vehicles

Dave Brown - Strategic Roads Policing

“There is a reason for our persistence, we are not out to persecute motorists, but to save lives.

" It is essential at this time of year, that motorists ensure they drive according to the road conditions and ensure their vehicle is in a safe and roadworthy condition, able to cope with the challenges posed by winter weather.

“Our enforcement campaign will continue into the winter months along with educational support from our partners within the “95 Alive” Partnership.”

Councillor John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive Member for road safety, added: “These significant improvements in the numbers of both fatal and serious injury collisions are a result of concerted efforts by all members of the 95 Alive partnership to make North Yorkshire's highways safer for all road users.

“This downward trend in casualty figures is extremely welcome, but it is imperative - particularly at this time of year, when shorter hours of daylight and often adverse weather conditions can make driving more difficult - to remember that we all need to share the responsibility for using our roads safely."

Anvil Results to date

• Total vehicles stopped - 25,178
• Speeding prosecutions - 4,528
• Mobile Phone offences - 967
• Seatbelt offences - 2,188
• Registration Plate offences - 483
• No Insurance - 206
• Licence Offences - 89
• Other offences - 1,930