Selby police praise responsible drivers

Police in Selby are praising the law abiding commercial vehicle drivers in the district and issuing a warning to those who break the law.

This follows an operation focusing on vehicles being used for business purposes to ensure they had the correct business insurance.

During the operation, which ran from 1 April to 30 June 2011, three drivers of the 244 stopped, didn't have the correct insurance and were reported for the offence.

Officers also issued 29 fixed penalty notices for:

• using a mobile phone
• not wearing a seat belt
• not having a valid MOT test certificate
• having an insecure load
• littering

Two scrap metal collectors were found not to have the correct licence and were reported for the offence.

Three drivers were arrested during the operation. One for being over the proscribed alcohol limit, one for theft and the third for failing to attend court.

Inspector Richard Abbott, of Selby Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The operation has been a great success. It has demonstrated that the vast majority of commercial vehicle drivers are law abiding and have the correct documentation.

"Where offenders have been stopped, officers have ensured that proportionate enforcement has been delivered.

"It is disappointing that so many drivers still fail to wear seatbelts and drive while using their mobile phones. These laws have not been enacted to inconvenience drivers, but because they have been clearly shown to save lives.

"Although the operation has now finished police officers across the district will still be on the alert for drivers flouting the law."

2pm - 12 July 2011