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Operation Spotlight continues into April, West Mercia Roads Policing reports progress

West Mercia Roads Policing officers are extending Operation Spotlight into April, carrying out routine enforcement aimed at reducing harm on the region’s roads. The force says enforcing traffic laws remains a 24/7 priority across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

In a recent stop, officers spotted a front-seat passenger not wearing a seatbelt. Further checks revealed the vehicle was uninsured and the driver held only a provisional licence, resulting in the vehicle being seized.

Another similar offence occurred on the M5 southbound when officers stopped a vehicle after noting the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. As with the earlier stop, the car was uninsured and the driver held a provisional licence; the driver was reported and the vehicle seized.

Elsewhere, two transit vans at Strensham Services were stopped after observers noted one vehicle towing the other with a badly fraying tow rope as they joined the M5 from the M50. Although both vehicles were insured in their own right, police found the drivers had swapped vehicles, meaning neither was insured to drive the one they were in. Both drivers faced multiple offences, and one of the vehicles was prohibited from continuing its journey.

Speeding has also remained a key focus. During an enforcement operation on the A441 near Redditch, officers detected 25 speeding offences.

West Mercia Police say seatbelt compliance, insurance checks and speeding enforcement are all central to Operation Spotlight, which aims to improve road safety and reduce serious injuries and fatalities.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Roads Policing said: “Enforcing the law on our roads is a 24/7 priority. We continue to do all we can to ensure our roads are safer for everyone who uses them.”

Police are reminding motorists to ensure their vehicles are properly insured, licences are valid for the vehicles being driven, and that seatbelts are worn at all times.