POLICE arrested a suspected drug driver as part of a crackdown on the five biggest causes of death on the roads.
Wiltshire Police’ Project Zero emphasises the everyday work of the roads policing unit officers by adding extra resources to help them target speeding, drink and drug driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt, and any other sort of careless or dangerous driving offences.
The overall aim of the project, which is carried out every Wednesday, is to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on roads around the county.
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This week, the team was based in the Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury areas. In one day, they issued 12 traffic offence reports and 14 fixed penalty notices.
The police stopped a Ford Fiesta in Tinkersfield and arrested its driver, who smelled strongly of cannabis, on suspicion of drug driving. He remains in custody for questioning.
A van driver in Royal Wootton Bassett was found to be disqualified from driving and sat on his seatbelt instead of wearing it.
A Wiltshire Specialist Operations spokesman said: “At least he had [a seatbelt], the lad in the back with the tools didn't even have a seat.
“Driver reported for no license, seatbelt and dangerous condition (passengers carried).”
Meanwhile, in Brinkworth, RPU officers caught a driver going 47mph in a 30mph zone, then reported the motorist for excess speed.
Plus, officers stopped and reported a driver in Calne who they noticed to be talking on her hand-held mobile phone while taking her children to school.
Lastly, a driver of a flatbed truck who was seen using his mobile phone at the wheel while on the A429 in Crudwell has been summoned to court.
The Wilts Spec Ops spokesman added: “You'd think he would have been more careful having nine points on his licence already.”
Roads Policing Sergeant Ben Cox said: “Our aim is always to reduce the number of casualties and fatalities on our road network and our Project Zero work is important in helping us make our roads as safe as possible, on top of our day-to-day work.
“It really is shocking to see the conditions of some of the vehicles on our roads and the dangers drivers are putting themselves, passengers and other road users in.”
Project Zero kicked off for 2023 last week when it ran in Amesbury. In total, seven traffic offence reports and 14 fixed penalty notices were issued.
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