Drug-driving arrest as more than 40 cars stopped in one-day operation
West Midlands Police[1] stopped more than 40 vehicles today, December 19, as part of a Christmas[2] crackdown on dangerous driving in Birmingham. The one-day operation saw the force make drug driving arrests and record 30 driving offences in and around Birmingham city centre[3]. Police said the action was taken to clamp down on illegal driving in Birmingham as they carry out “intense action” to make the streets safer.
Alongside making traffic stops, officers said they arrested three people – one on suspicion of drug driving and two for possession of drugs with intent to supply. A West Midlands Police[4] spokesperson said on December 19: “More than 40 vehicles were pulled over as we took action to stop dangerous and illegal driving in Birmingham today. We carried out a joint road safety operation in and around the city centre as part of #OpAdvance.
“A total of 30 traffic offences were reported ranging from tinted windows which reduced visibility, no insurance and dangerous defects. We seized six vehicles during the operation which included our traffic and road harm prevention teams along with colleagues from other agencies such as DVSA, Environment Agency and council taxi licensing. “We also arrested three people – one on suspicion of drug driving and two for possession of drugs with intent to supply.
The targeted operation formed part of #OpAdvance which is seeing us carry out intense police action to deal with issues we know matter most to you. “The aim was not only about enforcement but education as we strive to make our roads safer for everyone. We regularly conduct activity with partners to create safer roads for everyone, deterring criminals who abuse the road network.
“Your safety is our number one priority and we are committed to reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.” The topic of road safety has been brought into sharp focus after a number of crashes[6] and cases of poor driving in and around the West Midlands. Earlier this week, footage emerged of a heart-stopping crash[7] that nearly killed a mother and baby in Solihull[8]. Campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham also released a sobering report stating they caught over 500 drivers[9] running red lights across Birmingham in a 45 hour observation.
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References
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Christmas (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham city centre (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Speeding party driver jailed over horror crash likened to ‘film stunt gone wrong’ (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ a number of crashes (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ heart-stopping crash (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Solihull (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ caught over 500 drivers (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)