MORE than 230 speed offences were detected and five uninsured cars seized during a day of police action in Weston super Mare.

Avon & Somerset Police targeted unsafe drivers and raised awareness of road safety issues on Wednesday, March 20, as part of Operation Toro.

In the town centre, officers from the Road Safety, Neighbourhood and Mounted teams were out and about, while a badly damaged car that was involved in a fatal collision in Bridgwater in November 2022 was on show, highlighting the dangers.

Luke Hawkes, 28, was jailed for dangerous driving after he ran a red light in his Ford Transit van and hit the Citroen DS3 in which Bethany Branson, 19, was a passenger.

Tragically, Bethany died at the scene.

The car has been donated to the Road Safety Team with the permission of Bethany’s family for ongoing educational use and serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving.

Road Safety Officer, PC Daniel Cox, said: “We saw a range of reactions from the members of the public we spoke to today. Many expressed sadness and disbelief at the sight of the crumpled car; and anger that despite the well-known risks, drivers continue to make reckless choices that endanger lives.

“I feel that they went away armed with a greater understanding of how we can all play our part in keeping the roads safe.”

Meanwhile, speed enforcement units, Roads Policing officers and the Drone team were working across the Weston area to proactively identify motorists committing traffic offences.

During the day, 233 speed detections were recorded, with a top speed recorded of 96mph on the M5; five uninsured vehicles were seized; a fixed penalty notice was issued for use of a mobile phone at the wheel; seven drivers were identified and reported for not wearing a seatbelt; one driver was arrested for drug driving following a roadside drug swab; one illegal motorbike was seized and 13 illegal vehicle number plates reported.

Officers also attended a car fire at the junction 21 slip road of the M5 and worked with Avon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service colleagues to make the area safe.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Roads Policing lead at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “It is essential that we hammer the message home, through a consistent policy of education and enforcement, that dangerous and careless driving can and does result in tragedy.

“We will continue to actively target those drivers who deliberately flout the law and put themselves and other road users at risk.

“But we also need the public to drive change. Tell us if you have information about dangerous driving on our roads.”

People can report incidents by contacting Crimestoppers with information; or by uploading JourneyCam footage via the Avon & Somerset Police website, which will be reviewed and acted upon if an offence has been committed.

North Somerset Inspector, Lee Kerslake, added: “On behalf of the North Somerset policing team I’d like to express my thanks to all officers involved in this operation.

“Their presence on the roads and in the town centre created a noticeable impact and the fantastic results from the day are helping to make our roads safer for all.”