Guest article by North Wales Police
North Wales Police are supporting the national Op Spotlight Young Drivers campaign, helping to promote safer driving through engagement, positive action and enforcement.
Over the next two weeks, the campaign aims to raise awareness among young and newly qualified drivers about the importance of safe and responsible driving, while encouraging positive choices that can help reduce the risk of serious collisions and save lives on our roads.
As part of the campaign, officers from North Wales Police’s Roads Crime Unit will be engaging with young drivers, providing advice and guidance around key road safety issues including the Fatal Five, which are drink and drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone behind the wheel, no seatbelt and driving in a manner that puts themselves or others at risk.
The force will take a three-pronged approach of engagement, positive action and enforcement:
- Engagement will see officers speaking directly with young drivers to provide advice, education and information about the consequences of unsafe driving
- Positive action will recognise and encourage responsible driving, while supporting young people to make safer choices when behind the wheel
- Where officers identify behaviour that puts road users at risk, enforcement action will be taken. This may include words of advice, education and other interventions where appropriate, through to prosecution where offences are identified
North Wales Police is reminding young drivers that having a driving licence is a privilege and brings responsibility towards themselves, their passengers and every other road user.
Sergeant Simon Hughes from the Roads Crime Unit said: “North Wales has some fantastic roads, but they can also present significant risks, particularly when drivers lack experience or make poor decisions behind the wheel.
“Our approach through this campaign is not simply about catching people breaking the law. We want to engage with young drivers, encourage positive choices and educate wherever we can.
“However, where we see dangerous or unlawful driving, we will take appropriate enforcement action. A momentary decision behind the wheel can have lifelong consequences.
“Our statistics show that young drivers aged between 17 and 25 represent 14% of our drink drive arrests and 29% of positive drug wipes. This is concerning so we will continue to work closely with our partners to deliver inputs to young drivers that will help them understand the risks and consequences of dangerous behaviour.
He added: “We want young drivers to enjoy the freedom that driving provides, but to do so safely, responsibly and with consideration for everyone else using our roads.”
North Wales Police is encouraging parents, families and communities to support the campaign by having conversations with young drivers about the risks they face and the importance of making safe decisions every time they drive.
Further advice and guidance is available via Road safety | North Wales Police
