‘Cannabis’, ‘no seatbelts’ ‘broken brake lights’ all reported in stopped cars

Officers announced yesterday, Thursday April 3, that they had stopped the cars along Wigan Road and Deane Road in the Deane area over the course of yesterday.

This was part of an operation aimed at reducing crashes, deaths and injuries on the roads across Bolton and the wider Greater Manchester area.

Police Sergeant Oliver Cooper said: “We employ various strategies and specialised resources to safeguard communities by disrupting illegal activities on our roads.

“Our efforts aim to decrease the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.

The operation took place across two major roads (Image: GMP) “Additionally, we conduct roadside operations to educate and enforce regulations, ensuring motorists are checked and tested.

“The local community were clearly impressed with the policing operation and motorists now know we will be operating proactively in the area. 

“This activity will have positively impacted on road safety.”

All kinds of offences were seen (Image: GMP) Police say they saw 23 offences being committed during the operation including people driving without seatbelts, driving while using their phones and driving with illegal number plates.

They also stopped people for driving with broken brake lights and for possession of cannabis.

Police were out in force (Image: GMP) Officers say that over the month of April they are aiming to make people more aware of what they call “Fatal Four” offences that can lead to deadly accidents on the roads.

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These include use of mobile phones, speeding and the use of seatbelts.
Road safety has been a key concern for people in the surrounding area with further measures trailed to find long term solutions.

Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “Road safety is obviously a big concern along Wigan Road and Deane Road in Rumworth and in Hulton so a police safety operation is always going to be welcome.

“It what people want to see, more police action and residents would like to see more of these targeted police operations.”

He added: “In the long-term behavioural change is key and so some of the measures like the cameras the council is bringing in are going to help us get to our goal which is to have zero deaths on the roads in Bolton.

“So its realty about a combination of short term and long-term measures.”