Police crack down on illegal road users in Rye operation

Over motorists were stopped during the joint operation between Rye Neighbourhood Policing Team and Rother District Council, aimed at educating drivers about the risks of breaking the law on the road.

The crackdown took place in Rye, Rye Harbour, Winchelsea, Winchelsea Beach and Pett on Thursday August 9.

Officers issued 15 endorseable fixed penalty notices to drivers exceeding the speed limit, using a phone whilst driving or not wearing a seatbelt and Rother District Council’s enforcement officers gave two truck drivers £300 fines for failing to hold a waste carrier’s licence.

In Rye Harbour a quad bike being ridden on the public highway was seized for not having insurance; further enquiries are underway regarding the driver driving otherwise in accordance to their licence and driving without insurance.

Sergeant Warren Downs said: “The day was not all about enforcing traffic laws but more about educating drivers to the risks and ramifications of breaking those laws.

“We conduct these types of checks as often as possible; working closely with Rother District Council means we can cover many different aspects of road safety and traffic laws when stopping vehicles either for breaking the law or to give words of advice regarding the manner of driving or condition of the vehicle.

“I’d like to remind everyone of Operation Crackdown, a joint initiative run by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and Sussex Police which gives the community an opportunity to report specific instances of anti-social driving/riding as well as any abandoned vehicles left on the roads.

 “The initiative provides a brilliant service and includes a dedicated telephone number - 01424 642222 - and website www.operationcrackdown.org for reporting. Please use them as much as possible and remember that you can always call Sussex Police on 101 to report these incidents too. By working together we can crackdown on anti social and illegal driving in Rother.”

The latest police operation follows a crackdown on illegal parking in Rye town centre.