Isle of Wight Police Crack Down Hard on Dangerous Driving
This weekend, the Isle of Wight’s Roads Policing and Armed Response teams teamed up with mainland cops for a fierce crackdown on reckless drivers across the island. Over two days, officers hit the roads hard, slapping out nearly 50 fines for a string of dangerous motoring offences.
26 Tickets Handed Out on Saturday Alone
On Saturday 22 January, officers wasted no time issuing 26 tickets to lawbreaking drivers. The haul included:
- 10 speeding fines
- 2 for illegal number plates
- 1 for a wrongly fitted breakaway cable
- 4 for not wearing seatbelts
- 1 for driving without a licence
- 1 for an unroadworthy vehicle
- 1 for an untaxed car
- 2 for uninsured vehicles
- 1 for an insecure load
- 1 for parking on zig-zags at a pelican crossing
- 2 for cars using modified exhausts
They also helped at the scene of a tractor collision during the busy day.
Sunday Sees Even More Speed Demons Caught
Day two wasn’t much quieter with 23 tickets issued. Notable offences included:
- 19 for speeding — including one driver caught doing nearly double the limit
- 2 for not wearing seatbelts
- 1 for an uninsured vehicle
- 1 motorcyclist fined for a tinted visor
Police also arrested a 22-year-old man in Newport on suspicion of drug driving. He has since been released but remains under investigation.
Drink Driver Crashes, Gets Charged
The crackdown climaxed Sunday night when officers found a car crashed in a hedge on Quarr Abbey Lane. Driver Beverley Morris, 31, from Shanklin, was arrested for drink driving and is due to appear at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 11 February.
Police Warn: Dangerous Driving Puts Everyone at Risk
“The policing of dangerous and poor standards of driving, committed by motorists on the Isle of Wight road network, is something that I will continue to focus on to improve safety for road users,” said District Commander Superintendent Jim Pegler.
“If you are driving a vehicle on the Isle of Wight, my strong advice is that you pay attention to the condition of your vehicle, have the required documentation and drive carefully with consideration for other road users. Choosing not to do so can have serious consequences and puts lives in danger, including your own. It is not worth the risk.”
The police remain committed to tackling the ‘Fatal Four’: drink and drug driving, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and using mobile phones behind the wheel. Public support for the weekend’s operation has been strong, with officers urging everyone to drive safely and responsibly.
