One driver ticketed every five minutes...
That was the reality for the dedicated Roads Policing Unit (RPU) on the Isle of Wight as they scrutinized poor driving standards this week.
Operation Wightwash — a two day period of enforcement activity intercepting drivers whose standards fell below the legal requirements — took place this past Wednesday and Thursday.
PCs Mike Alchin and Andy Ball both have years of policing experience behind them, but took up new roles last month leading the newly-formed RPU.
They are bolstering the efforts of the Island’s pre-existing Roads Policing & Armed Response Vehicle teams (RP/ARV) who are dual skilled in firearms and roads policing tactics.
Across the two days, 89 tickets were given out to motorists across the Island.
A total of 15 motorists were also ticketed for driving without a seatbelt.
During the op, officers arrested two motorcyclists on Wootton High Street on suspicion of drug driving.
One was released with no further action, however the second rider – an 18-year-old man from Ryde – was released but remains under investigation while further enquiries are conducted.
Acting Superintendent Alex Charge said:
“We are now the only district in Force that has its own dedicated Roads Policing Unit.
“It’s important to understand that while the current unit is made up of two dedicated officers, any officer on the Isle of Wight can and will be enforcing poor driving behaviours.
“We are also fortunate to have the proactive RP/ARV teams who regularly target drivers who display behaviours under the ‘Fatal Four’ banner.
These are the four poor driving habits that often lead to serious or fatal collisions — drink/drug driving, driving without a seatbelt, speeding, and using a mobile phone while driving."
If you have video footage of a road incident that you would like to submit, you can do so using the Hants Snap tool on the Hampshire Police website.
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