Dorset drivers caught in the Vortex

Over a hundred drivers have so far been issued with fixed penalty tickets by Dorset Police during Operation Vortex.

Throughout October teams of traffic officers are undertaking patrols in marked and unmarked cars and on motorcycles. The Dorset operation forms part of a regional operation to promote road safety and to tackle motorists who flout road traffic laws.

Here’s the tally of tickets issued to drivers in just two days: 19 October and 20 October:

20 for using a mobile phone while driving.

61 for not wearing a seat belt

5 for driving without insurance,

16 for driving without a valid MOT 

5 for speeding 

Inspector John Mallace, of the Dorset Police Traffic Unit, said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to making the roads safer, we are once again targeting those motorists who drive carelessly and are a danger on our roads.

“This includes, but is not limited to, targeting drivers who use a mobile phone while driving, drive at inappropriate speeds, are not in proper control of their vehicle or other dangerous and intimidating behaviour like driving too closely to the vehicle in front – all types of driving which can have devastating consequences.

“We’ll also be targeting drivers not wearing a seat belt in a bid to highlight the importance of wearing a seat belt on every trip.

“Nearly all road traffic collisions are caused by driver error and we want to get the message home to motorists that when they are behind the wheel, 100 per cent concentration must be given to their driving.”