North Wales Police focus on young drivers in two-week safety campaign
North Wales Police are taking part in Operation Spotlight, a national campaign aimed at tackling dangerous driving behaviours.
The two-week initiative, which runs from 22 September to 5 October, is coordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and sees officers carrying out both enforcement and educational work.
The focus is on raising awareness of the “Fatal Five” offences, which are drink and drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt and careless or dangerous driving.
Police forces across the country are paying particular attention to young drivers and riders aged 17 to 25, who are statistically more likely to be involved in serious collisions.
Department for Transport figures show that around a fifth of all fatal and serious injury collisions in 2023 involved a young driver.
North Wales Police say they already have a robust strategy around enforcing the Fatal Five.
Alongside enforcement, officers and partners from other emergency services deliver road safety inputs in colleges, schools and clubs.
These include campaigns such as Olivia’s Story, a film about the death of 17-year-old Olivia Alkir from Ruthin in 2019, which has been widely used to highlight the dangers of reckless driving.
Sergeant Danielle Ashley of the Roads Crime Unit said: “Every fatality on our roads is a tragedy, that is why we are committed to making the roads safer for everyone and that starts with behaviours that put lives at risk. We will continue to act against those who commit offences on our roads through education and enforcement.
“We will continue with our efforts to raise awareness of important campaigns such as Olivia’s Story – to help educate young people about the importance of staying safe on the roads.
“Whilst we target the #Fatal5 offences 365 days a year, this national campaign helps us shine a light on bad driver and rider behaviour which are contributory factors in road traffic collisions and the devastation they can cause – many of which are preventable.
“As we head into autumn and winter we are also urging all drivers to pay particular attention to their vehicles, ensuring tyres and lights are in good working order.
“Our message is simple – take care on the roads. The consequences of not doing so are potentially deadly to you, your passengers and other innocent road users.”
Officers will continue to carry out high-profile patrols and roadside stops to improve safety.
Anyone with concerns around road safety, or information about Fatal Five offences, is asked to contact North Wales Police online or by calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
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