Recent Events

Recent Events across Gwent Wide

Road Safety Education Campaign for Drivers

Police Traffic Officer Keith Rich speaks to a driver as part of the campaign

Almost 80 drivers were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone during a crackdown on road safety breaches.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service teamed up with road safety charity, Brake and Local Authority Road Safety Officers, to educate motorists about the dangers of driving without a seatbelt, or while using a mobile phone.

Motorists were stopped near fire stations in Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale and Abercarn last week and offenders were offered the choice of either paying a fine, plus three penalty points for using a mobile, or watching a 10-minute presentation of the consequences of being distracted at the wheel.

A total of 78 drivers were stopped during the operation, 76 were not wearing a seatbelt and two using a mobile. More than 75% of those stopped were male (59 drivers) and just over 60% were aged 25 or over (49 drivers).

Only one driver chose to pay the fixed penalty rather than watch the presentation. Out of those who did view it, 76 motorists thought it was beneficial and every participant thought education rather than fines was worthwhile.

After the presentation, every driver except one, said the presentation had changed their perception of the potential dangers of not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving.

Reasons given for committing the two offences included: not realising it was important, having a bad day and one response stated the driver worked for the local authority and was in and out of the vehicle.

Group Manager Rob Morris, Head of Road Safety for the Fire Service, said: “The week proved to be a huge success in getting through to some very at-risk motorists who were not wearing seatbelts or were using their mobile phones whilst driving.”

“It’s very encouraging that 100% of offenders felt that this campaign was worthwhile and a greater deterrent than the enforcement approach and would also influence their behaviour in the long term."