Police predict 'perfect storm' for serious crashes around Scarborough this weekend

Police are predicting a "perfect storm" for serious crashes on roads around Scarborough this weekend.
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They are planning a major policing operation across North Yorkshire in preparation for a forecasted huge surge in traffic due to fairer weather, the long weekend, the easing of some lockdown rules and what they describe as motorists’ skills going "rusty" during lockdown.

Drivers should see a strong police presence as extra traffic units are deployed to key areas, including villages and rural routes.

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The operation will use marked police cars and motorbikes, and highly-visible safety camera vehicles will cover as many locations as possible. Unmarked police vehicles will also be used.

Police are planning a major roads policing operation this Easter weekend. Photo by North Yorkshire Police.Police are planning a major roads policing operation this Easter weekend. Photo by North Yorkshire Police.
Police are planning a major roads policing operation this Easter weekend. Photo by North Yorkshire Police.

It comes amid concerns from residents in many North Yorkshire villages about speeding drivers and motorcyclists making their communities unsafe.

Police will be on the lookout for a host of offences and say breaches of coronavirus restrictions, such as groups of more than six people from different households and the ‘stay local’ requirement will also be addressed.

Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, who is leading the operation, said: “Fairer weather, the bank holiday weekend and the easing of some lockdown rules all mean much more traffic on our roads, especially leisure traffic.

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“Unfortunately, we know this is the ‘perfect storm’ for more casualties and fatalities. Many bikers and drivers haven’t used their vehicles much during the past year so skills may be rusty, which further increases the risk.

“That’s why we’re launching a significant roads policing operation to reduce the risk of fatal collisions.

“We know many residents who live near busy roads are backing us one hundred per cent in our efforts to keep their communities safe and crack down on anti-social and illegal road use.

“Our message to motorists is simple – we’re not here to ruin anyone’s enjoyment of North Yorkshire and its fantastic roads.

"But we are here to keep people alive and enforce the law, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing this bank holiday weekend and throughout the summer.”