Tue, 2022-05-03

With Operation Vega remaining in place, 538 tickets were issued for various traffic offences during the last two weeks. That’s up from 353 in the previous two-week period.

This brings the number of tickets issued since the July 2021 launch of Operation Vega, to 4,842.

However, despite our continued heightened efforts, speed continues to be the highest recorded offence.

Over the last two weeks, a total of 336 tickets were issued for speeding, with speeds of between 60km/h and 90km/h being recorded.

The break-down of traffic offences recorded and the number of tickets issued are as follows:

1.            Speeding                                                                                 336

2.            Operating an unlicensed vehicle                                    56

3.            No third part insurance                                                        56

4.            No Driver’s license                                                                 55

5.            Driving in a dangerous manner                                         15

6.            Driving whilst disqualified                                                    1

7.            Driving whilst not wearing a seatbelt                               7

8.            Riding with an unfastened helmet                                     8

9.            Using a handheld device whilst operating a vehicle   4

Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell of Tactical Support Unit said, “While our stepped up efforts and increased presence on the roads are resulting in more drivers and riders being stopped for speeding and can be seen as successful from a numbers perspective, our aim is to see those numbers decline. Only then, will we feel confident that people are paying attention”

Chief Inspector Cardwell added, “We cannot sufficiently stress that all road users need to take personal responsibility for their behaviour once they sit on that bike or get behind a steering-wheel. The life you save may well be your own. We will continue to enforce the traffic laws as they exist, but we also appeal for members of the motoring public to put safety first and slow down.”

Elsewhere the number of road traffic collisions have continued to decline since the introduction of Operation Vega.

ROADSIDE SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS

Over 1,000 vehicles were stopped during Roadside Sobriety Checkpoint exercises this past weekend, with two arrests made for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mr. Cardwell stated, “Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints started earlier than usual, which caught a few people by surprise. This resulted in residents using social media to get the word out about our activity. We are certain this contributed to fewer individuals opting to operate vehicles whilst inebriated.”

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