Shropshire motorists are taking their lives in their hands by ignoring basic road safety advice, say police bosses.

A clampdown on drivers in the county committing ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ drawn up by West Mercia Police has discovered hundreds of people risking their own and others lives.

Sergeant Jeff Morris, of the Road Policing Safety Team, said one of the seven key areas was driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

He said: “We are doing a big drink and drug drive campaign to combat the amount of ever-increasing collisions where drink and drugs are playing a part.”

Mr Morris said the team had recently been out targeting drivers on the A49 and have also been working in areas where problems have been reported.

“We respond to intelligence and if we find there are high number of incidents in certain areas we would take action.

“North Shropshire is an area we have found a high level of drink and drug motoring incidents,” he said.
“It is a constant battle, it is ongoing.”

West Mercia Chief constable Paul West, who was out on patrol in Telford last night, said he was shocked at how fast many drivers are actually travelling on Shropshire roads and how many vehicles have simple problems such as defective lights.

The Seven Deadly Sins are:

• Motorcycle Safety
• Speed
• Drink and Drug Driving
• Poor Driving
• Illegal Vehicles
• Seatbelt Safety
• Mobile Phone Safety