Snow: Police stop-checks on motorists and cyclists in East Yorkshire as winter weather bites
DRIVERS are failing to prepare their cars for winter weather, police have warned.
Officers stopped 70 cars during an operation in Hull this week, with 16 found to have defective tyres or lights.
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On the lookout: PC Keith Ward checks tyres on a vehicle in Sculcoates Lane, Hull. Picture: Jack Harland
Crashes in the city have increased since snow and freezing temperatures hit the region on Monday.
PC Keith Ward, casualty reduction officer for Hull, said: "It is disappointing to see how many drivers are not prepared for this weather.
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"We have seen a lot of tyres that are bald and a lot of broken lights.
"People also aren't clearing their windscreens of snow and ice properly.
"These are the sorts of things which could lead to collisions.
"People need to make sure their cars are ready and that they adapt their driving to the conditions."
He said the number of crashes went up as soon as the snow started on Monday.
He said: "I have been driving along the A63 and it is alarming to see people travelling at normal motorway speeds, even when the weather has deteriorated.
Officers spent two hours stopping cars travelling in Holderness Road, east Hull, on Wednesday.
Of the 40 cars they checked, 11 had defects with tyres or lights.
The team later spent two hours checking vehicles travelling in Sculcoates Lane, west Hull.
They stopped 30 cars, with five defect forms issued.
Fifteen drivers were also cautioned during the day for failing to clear their windscreens and lights.
Two vehicles that were being driven by unlicensed drivers were also seized.
The stop-checks are part of an annual campaign to ensure motorists are prepared for poor weather conditions.
PC Ward said: "More bad weather is expected, so people need to make sure they are prepared.
"A lot of the tyres we have seen have been visibly bald, which shows people just aren't checking their tyres.
"They are our only contact with the road and, if they are bald, it can increase the likelihood of a crash.
"People also need to make sure they are clearing their windscreens and lights fully.
"We have seen a lot of cars where the lights haven't been cleared, which means other drivers are less likely to be able to see them."
PC Simon Carlisle, casualty reduction officer in the East Riding, said: "There have been a few more minor bumps, but no more serious crashes than we would usually expect.
"Generally, people seem to be realising they need to keep their distance, anticipate what other cars are doing and drive to the conditions.
"It has been helped by East Riding Council, which got it right with gritting this year."
Comments
by ArthurHunt
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 8:04PM
“Good for the police I say, and I agree with buornfree I've seen quite a few cars recently with one headlight. Also pull over those daft lads in black Volkswagen Polos with tinted windows who drive like idiots and have their fog-lights on - because it makes them look 'ard...”
by buornfree
Monday, January 21 2013, 7:53AM
“They should catch ALL the car drivers with only one head light on give them a ticket first time next time on the spot fine second time I have seen nearly new cars witch must be worth quite a bit of money showly a bulb is not that much to get mended”
by Strangley
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:49PM
“I doubt if these stops are random. If you are driving what looks to be a s**t box, or have lights out, expect to be pulled over”
by smartguy1
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:12AM
“How commendable of the Humberside Police to do this on a weekday. I wonder how many of the motorists were late for work as a result. If they are going to employ this sort of tactic wouldn't it be better to do it on a weekend. It's hard enough trying to fight your way through the traffic as it is. Also from a safety point would it better not to do it BEFORE we have ice and snow and not when it's actually here. Least it kept them from poking greed camera guns out of their car windows for a few hours.”
by jobsearcher
Friday, January 18 2013, 5:36PM
“I bet if they find a problem with a car the owner will be hit with a fine!! I wonder if any cyclists will have fines hit on them.”