As part of an effort to improve road safety this week, officers from Cheshire Police were deployed across the Wilmslow area to educate road users on the Fatal Four.
Operation Clearway targeted drivers who were drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving, as well as using excessive speed and parking inappropriately or dangerously.
All five communities within the Wilmslow area (Alderley Edge, Handforth, Wilmslow Dean Row and Lacey Green, Wilmslow East and Wilmslow West and Chorley) benefitted from the operation, with speed enforcement, stop-checks, road safety outside schools and community events all having taken place.
Speed enforcement took place on 10 occasions with 48 vehicles activating police speed guns and 97 activating Community Speed Watch devices. Six stop checks were also completed on suspicious motor vehicles, which led to results including the arrest of a wanted male and a vehicle seizure for no insurance.
Two community events were held in conjunction with Cheshire Fire and Rescue, one at Wilmslow Leisure Centre and another on Grove Street, which informed dozens of people on good road safety habits.
Additionally, police officers supported Cheshire East Council, issuing 45 vehicles parked on Alderley Road with Highway Code information leaflets, explaining their responsibilities and best practice when parking.
Speaking about the situation on Alderley Road, Police Sergeant John O'Driscoll said "Cheshire East Council are responsible for providing a long-term solution, which, having spoken to local councillors, will begin with consultations with the community regarding parking restrictions and off-road parking provision. We will enforce when we can and when offences are apparent."
Comments
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I do drive as well - and part of my commute is down the windy road between Mobberley and Ashley. Going round a bend to be confronted with a driver (over-taking a cyclist) on the wrong side of the road is pretty scary. It is a problem on an almost daily basis.
Then there are drivers who think its perfectly OK to go round a bend half way into the opposite carriageway - regardless of whether they are overtaking a bike or not.
Finally, just wondering if the police deployments are at set times - e.g. during the day? It would be good to do some speed checks in the evenings. I've seen plenty of people going way too fast whilst I've been out walking the dog - e.g. taxis dashing back to Wilmslow to pick up their next fare.
However, I'm not convinced education would work, I've explained to several drivers and just received abuse. Police need to stop giving out leaflets and start fining, handing out penalty points, banning drivers, crushing cars, community service, some punishment...
Would they do the same if it was their son or daughter on the bike? I think not.
Nearly 2000 people killed by drivers in the UK each year now, getting worse, year on year.
I don't know if it was part of the same operation, but maybe 6 weeks or so ago they had a speed gun in Handforth on a Saturday evening around 8pm ish.
Maybe they should extend the same curtsy to drivers as they expect themselves.
My daughter nearly got knocked over by a cyclist the other day as she waited for a traffic signal to turn to the crossing sigh as a cyclist thought it would be quicker to use the pavement than wait . Maybe we should crush a few bikes whilst we are at it !!!
Because they can, read the highway code.
Rule 66 further advises that cyclists should "ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends", however the interpretation of this rule undoubtedly causes problems.
As you even highlighted
most of them seem to think its acceptable to ride 2 a breast along the narrow county roads i drive on
Maybe you check the facts before posting !!!!!!
There is no law as such against doing this and it is not outlawed specifically in the Highway Code. You are, however, obliged to be considerate to other road users and so generally riding two or more abreast would not be recommended in built-up areas.
In less busy areas, or riding on roads like narrow country lanes, if you are cycling two or more abreast and are approached by a vehicle from behind it is recommended that you return to single file to allow that vehicle to pass.
I of course like cyclists will give them a wide berth when it is safe to do so. As i said respect is both ways and its simple enough to drop back as a cyclist if a car approaches from behind.
There are far too many who dont and then complain if a car is considered too close.
Our roads are often not very wide and cars are getting larger so consider the environment you are cycling in and everybody will be safe