Dangerous Drivers and Nuisance Motorists Targeted in New Policing Operation

    West Yorkshire Police has launched a new proactive policing operation in Halifax to target nuisance motorists and dangerous drivers. 

    Operation Hawmill will focus on what are known as the 'Fatal Four' offences - the four factors most likely to contribute to a fatal road traffic collision. These are being over the prescribed limit through drink or drug use, speeding, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt.  

    Although there are areas which have been recognised as 'hotspot areas' for these offences, officers will be tackling bad driving across the district. 

    Roads Policing officers will be bolstered by resources from other areas of the force, neighbourhood teams and volunteers.  

    Halifax Neighbourhood Inspector Colin Skeath, said: "We're directly responding to the public of Calderdale, who have told us their concerns over the standard of driving in Halifax and this operation signals our intention to do something about it.  

    "We will be taking action across the district to remove these often dangerous vehicles from our streets and deal with those drivers who are breaking the law. 

    "The Hawmill team is made up of officers from our Safer Roads teams, and the Halifax Neighbourhood Policing team, which means we're able to get in to known 'hot spots' and deal with issues quickly and efficiently. 

    Hawmill Team

    "Officers have already seized two dozen vehicles that have been driven on our roads with no insurance, and given over 90 tickets for offences such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone whilst driving and driving through a red light.  

    In the first four weeks of the operation, officers have stopped over 90 people with a third of those being for inappropriate speed. Twenty four vehicles have been seized for having no insurance, people caught driving without a seatbelt. Five have also been caught by officers whilst using a mobile phone when driving. Two vehicles have also been seized after being driven in an antisocial manner. 

    Insp Skeath added; "We know how frustrated people get with people who drive dangerously, irresponsibly and without insurance. We are committed to making the roads safer for all. Any vehicle which poses or is believed to be posing an immediate risk to the public should be reported on 999. Non-emergency calls should be made on the 101 number."

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