Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Keeping you safe on the roads

Relentless on the roads

A police officer with a man undertaking a breath test

As part of a three month long Operation Relentless – keeping you safe this summer, police encouraged motorists to stay safe on the road.

Operation Tonic

June saw the force's summer drink and drive campaign staged.

Following on from the success of the winter campaign, which saw an eight-year low for the number of drink and drug drivers arrested, the month-long summer event also saw the number of arrested drivers fall to below 200.

Of the drivers stopped, 181 were arrested, while over the winter period 150 were arrested.

Chief Inspector John Holt, of the force's operations and road policing unit, said that while the lower number of people arrested was encouraging, suggesting that drivers were responding to the education programme, there was still a concern that one third of drivers arrested fall in the 18-25 year age group.

He confirmed the police would not be complacent and said that the bottom-line message was – don't drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

Police reinforce the winter and summer drink drive Operation Tonic events with all-year monitoring. He said that if people choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they risk endangering the safety of other road users.

The road policing unit will not be complacent and will remain relentless in removing those who blatantly ignore advice not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, from the force's roads.

Drivers are reminded that: refusal to provide a breath specimen could lead to a six month prison sentence, a fine of up to £5000 and a 12-month ban from driving; anyone causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink, could be imprisoned for up to 10 years and banned from driving for up to two years; and convicted drink drivers will have a criminal record.

Motorbike Safety

During July, traffic police are targeting motorbike riders is an attempt to reduce deaths and serious injuries.

As part of Operation Relentless, officers are promoting road safety and greater awareness among motorcyclists and drivers on four wheels.

They are concentrating on areas where speeding is an on-going problem, working with community speed watch groups and looking to reduce the number of complaints about motorcycle-related anti-social behaviour.

It is all part of Avon and Somerset police’s year-round campaign to help motorbike riders hone their skills and make them safer on the roads.

The force runs special Ride to Arrive and Bikesafe events. For details, please go to our website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/bikesafe.

Report a crime or incident Policing in your area