Police in Medway carried out a major day of action targeting dangerous drivers and unsafe vehicles, following complaints from local residents and businesses.
The enforcement, which took place across Rochester and Strood town centres, involved neighbourhood constables, PCSOs, roads policing officers, as well as teams from Medway Council and the Environment Agency.
Offences and penalties
During the operation, officers issued a total of 59 traffic offence reports for a range of violations, including:
-
Driving without insurance
-
Using a mobile phone at the wheel
-
Not wearing a seatbelt
-
Transporting children without proper restraints
In addition, three graduated fixed penalty notices totalling £600 were handed out for offences relating to no insurance, no driving licence, and seatbelt breaches.
Vehicles seized
Enforcement teams also seized:
-
One car
-
Two electric bikes
-
Seven e-scooters
A separate vehicle was prohibited from being driven until a faulty seatbelt was repaired.
Meanwhile, environment officers stopped 12 waste-carrying vehicles to ensure compliance with licence conditions. Enquiries into these are ongoing.
Police statement
Inspector Paul Diddams, who led the operation, said:
“Law-abiding motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are put at unnecessary risk by those who flout the law. Local people have shared their concerns and we are determined to target illegal drivers and, where appropriate, remove their vehicles from public roads.
This enforcement will be repeated throughout the rest of the year across Medway. Our message is simple: if you are driving an unsafe or illegal vehicle, electric bike or e-scooter, be prepared to have it seized and face prosecution.”
Ongoing enforcement
Kent Police confirmed that further operations will be carried out across Medway in the coming months, with a continued focus on road safety and tackling dangerous driving.
