Operation Unity saw officers from seven forces work together along the M5 corridor from near Birmingham to Exeter to catch motorists breaking the law.
The operation saw 291 motorists pulled over for mostly traffic offences. Of those who were pulled over 70 were stopped for speeding offences, 54 were issued with fixed penalty notices for using their phone at the wheel and 35 were pulled over for not wearing their seatbelts.
Superintendent Paul Keasey, who led the operation, said: “We are delighted with the results of this operation. Recent intelligence indicates the M5 is a vital route for many different members of the criminal community, allowing them to traffic people, convey drugs, transport stolen goods and deliver vehicles following car key burglaries.
“We hope this operation sends a clear message to them that we will act on the information we receive from the public and we will take whatever action necessary to disrupt their activities.
“We also hope it raises the awareness of the ‘fatal five’ offences, namely dangerous and careless driving, mobile phones, speeding, seatbelts, drink and drug driving, and makes drivers think more carefully about their actions, helping to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Inspector Richard Pryce, from the Devon and Cornwall Police Safer Roads Support Unit, said: “The M5 is the main artery into our policing area and as such an integrated operation like this, along its entire length, demonstrated the ability to deny its use to those who would bring criminal activity into Devon and Cornwall.
“This operation allowed us to not only to identify motoring offences which often can lead to injury collisions and potential lengthy road closures, but also to reinforce messages around safer and responsible driving.
“It is crucial that we help to reduce instances of death and serious injury on our roads and particularly those which are strategically significant to the South West peninsula.”
Oct, 09, 2014