A police blitz on rogue drivers had instant results in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. In one day this week three vehicles were seized due to no insurance and driving without a licence, eight people were identified as not wearing a seat belt, two were on their mobile phones whilst driving and 20 were speeding – the fastest travelling 45mph in a 30mph zone.
Motorists were stopped in Waterloo Road as part of GMP’s vehicle safety initiative, Operation Vortex to kick off a late summer drug and drink driving campaign. They were diverted onto Harthill Street, where they were checked by a team of specialist officers.
Officers also issued a warning to a motorist driving in an anti-social manner, whilst two others received notices in relation to defective number plates.
READ MORE:
PC Damian Warner of the Transport Unit provided a stark warning for anyone thinking about getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs – even if taken the night before.
He said: “If we suspect you of having taken drugs or drunk alcohol, we will either perform a wipe test or ask you to blow into a breathalyser. The wipe test acts in the same way as a Covid or pregnancy test and will produce two lines if positive for cocaine and marijuana. In fact, we are currently seeing more instances of drug driving than we are drink driving.
“If you know you have taken drugs or consumed alcohol and you make the conscious decision to drive, then you are not only putting others in danger, but yourself as well. You really need to take a second and think again.
“If convicted of drink or drug driving, you can expect to have your licence suspended, receive a fine and even go to prison.” On the day, the only person subject to a breath test, tested negative.
Sgt Lee Keefe said: “We’ve got a fantastic team of specialist officers who are looking out for vehicles that aren’t up to code and anyone committing any traffic offences.
“We run Op Vortex days quite often around Greater Manchester and we can see anything from relatively minor offences to some big ones, including drug and drink driving. Our objective is to ensure that the streets are safe for everyone to drive on.
“We are currently looking for new recruits, such as officers in training, and if you are interested in joining us as we work to make Greater Manchester safer, you can apply to be a police officer via gmp.police.uk/recruitment”.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Heartbroken mum tells court about horrific abuse daughter suffered at hands of 'evil' partner in the days before she died of drug overdose
- Flat residents furious over 'rat-infested' block after council fails to empty bins
- Inside eerie abandoned Greater Manchester church left decaying for decades
- Decision on ditching Clean Air Zone fees put off until new Prime Minister in post
- Three prison officers left in hospital after being 'attacked with pool balls inside sock' at Forest Bank
