21st July 2010

WEST DORSET: Dorset's 'No Excuse' road safety campaign to go region wide

DORSET’S year long road safety campaign has been such a success that forces across the South West are now taking up the scheme.

For two weeks, police forces across the South West region will be mirroring Dorset’s road safety campaign ‘No Excuse’.

Operation Vortex started on Monday and will be running until the end of the month.

Dedicated teams of road policing officers - using unmarked cars and motorcycles - will patrol a wide variety of roads across the South West, in a concerted effort to reduce injury road traffic collisions by improving driver behaviour.

In Dorset, the year-long ‘No Excuse’ campaign has been running since January this year.

It aims to reduce casualties by tackling the main types of driver and motorcyclist behaviour known to cause death or serious injury.

These incorporate the ‘fatal four’ of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, distractions - especially using a mobile phone while driving - and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chief Inspector Bob Nichols, Head of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “Together with our neighbouring forces we are sending out the clear message that motorists, flouting the rules, are likely to be caught anywhere throughout the entire region.

“The intention is to get motorists at all times to concentrate 100 per cent on their driving behaviour when behind the wheel - not just when a marked police car is in sight.

“With our ‘No Excuse’ enforcement, education and media campaign and the region’s Operation Vortex we want to ensure a long-term change in driver behaviour.

“Our aim is to make Dorset’s roads safer. We are working very hard to reach this goal and, with the co-operation of motorists, we can reduce the tragedy of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.”

WEST DORSET: Dorset's 'No Excuse' road safety campaign to go region wide

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