Police launch bid to cut
road tragedies

Officers hope that Operation Orewood will encourage people to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents they are called to deal with across the force’s roads.

The four main contributory factors are excess speed, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, failing to wear a seat belt and distractions such as using mobile phones.

Chief Inspector Mark Bownass, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Units, said: “It is vital that drivers understand that by doing just one of the four factors they are significantly increasing their chances of being involved in a serious road traffic collision.

“I don’t have to drive far before I see one of these in action but it is not acceptable. Each week we will tackle a specific factor although our officers will obviously be on the look out for anyone committing a traffic offence.”