Crackdown on rogue drivers

From the archive, first published Thursday 7th Dec 2006.

A "life-saving" road policing strategy has been unveiled in the Bradford district with the dual aim of cutting deaths and serious injuries while denying illegal drivers use of the roads.

About £30,000 has been pumped into the new Bradford District Roads Policing Strategy, to provide more visible road policing and buy advanced specialist equipment to detect offenders.

The strategy aims to make sure no more than 208 people are killed or seriously injured in crashes in the district by 2008 - a significant reduction on the high of 329 in 2001.

The strategy will see a major crackdown on untaxed and uninsured vehicles.

One initiative will involve the use of infrared equipment, allowing officers to use automatic number plate recognition systems at night as well as during the day.

Meanwhile, an officer will be assigned to work in the Keighley division to measure the level of tint on vehicle windows, making sure it does not exceed the legal limit.

There will also be specific high-profile action days in each of the three policing divisions in Bradford.

Funding has been provided by the Safer Communities Partnership, with more money expected in the new year.

The plan comes as a further boost to the Telegraph & Argus Be Safe Not Sorry road safety campaign.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Brown, divisional commander of Bradford South and chairman of the Safer Communities Executive, said: "The launch of this strategy highlights our commitment to partnership working in order to reduce road collisions and injuries."

Councillor Kris Hopkins, leader of Bradford Council and co-chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership, said: "This strategy should save lives. Driving without tax or insurance is reckless and dangerous."

Philip Gwynne, of the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: "The most important part in reducing death and injury on the roads is played by local people. The attention that campaigns like the T&A's Be Safe Not Sorry draw to these issues is crucial in making the streets safer for all."

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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