A ROAD safety campaign launched in Tredington near Shipston on Monday resulted in 26 motorists being stopped by police.

The Warwickshire Police strategy involves a new approach to road policing aimed at reducing road deaths.

The police are targeting the “fatal four” offences of speeding, drunk or drugs driving, not wearing seat belts and driving while distracted.

Police say they will deal robustly with persistent offenders but take a graduated approach of engagement, education and enforcement with those whose driving falls short of required standards but presents less risk.

Most of those stopped during the three hour operation at Tredington were cautioned or directed towards an educational solution.

Twelve motorists stopped for speeding were directed towards speed awareness courses; six stopped for seatbelt offences chose to be spoken to by council road safety officers instead of paying a £60 fixed penalty notice; one motorist was cautioned for contravening white lines; and one stopped for using a mobile phone while driving opted to be spoken to by road safety officers instead of an endorsable fixed penalty notice.

Four motorists were issued with £60 fixed penalty notices for excess speed and one was issued with a £60 fixed penalty notice for not having an MOT.

One motorist has been summonsed to appear before magistrates for driving on an expired provisional driving licence, with no insurance and in a car with two bald tyres.

Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland, Superintendent Christine Ruston-Wadsworth, head of operations, and Chief Inspector Tim Bailey, head of Operations Task Force, attended the launch.