A driver has been arrested on suspicion of drug-driving following a police operation in the Black Country. Officers stopped 39 vehicles on the Reedswood retail park in Bloxwich on Wednesday, April 22, as part of efforts to address the 'fatal four' faults: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a phone.
Operation Details
Six vehicles were seized during the bust, with three tickets issued for seat belt offences and four for tyres below the legal limit. Two tickets were issued for number plate offences, six for tints being too dark, and two for unsafe loads.
Officer's Statement
Road harm prevention officer PC Emily Fawlk said: “Officers like myself have seen the devastating impact that road traffic collisions can have. Too often we have to deliver the heartbreaking news that a loved one has been killed on the road. That’s why we hold operations just like this. Too many of the motorists we spoke to today were needlessly putting themselves, their passengers, pedestrians and other road users. I’d invite everyone who gets behind the wheel across Walsall to join the efforts of officers and our partners to make our roads as safe as they can be.”
Police Spokesperson
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police added: "Six vehicles were seized as part of a road safety operation that took place in Bloxwich yesterday (22 April). Officers from Walsall Police joined partners from the council and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as part of a Multi-Agency Road Safety Operation (MARSO). Officers stopped vehicles in the retail park area in Reedswood as they looked to address issues commonly known as the ‘fatal four’. This phrase refers to offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or using a phone while driving – behaviours which are responsible for most fatal and serious road collisions. As part of the operation, 39 vehicles were stopped, six vehicles seized, and one driver arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Officers issued 24 tickets for offences including: not wearing a seatbelt (3), tyres below legal limit (4), number plates not being displayed (2), illegal tints not allowing enough light into the vehicle (6), and an unsafe load (2)."
