A BLITZ on dangerous drivers who use Jersey’s roads ‘like a racetrack’ has been launched following a recent rise in late-night speeding.
Covert patrols and speed checks will be used to target drivers who meet for races through country roads and lanes, which the authorities say is putting innocent Islanders at serious risk.
It is the latest initiative run under the banner of Operation Canvas, launched after the first Covid lockdown in response to a dramatic increase in anti-social driving, and which resulted in dozens of motorists being prosecuted for a range ofoffences.
The new crackdown will be Islandwide but will focus on known speeding hotspots in the worst-affected parishes of St John, St Ouen, St Mary and Trinity.
The operation comes a year after a driver was jailed for six months for aiding and abetting dangerous driving after cars were filmed speeding at more than 80mph through the back lanes of St Peter and St Mary.
The States police, which will be working with all 12 honorary forces, are also urging Islanders to play their part by naming dangerous drivers – and the roads they use for races – through an online reporting system at report.jersey.police.uk.
Inspector Callum O’Connor, the States police’s roads policing lead, said: ‘This operation is specifically targeting those individuals who continue to use our Island’s roads as a racetrack, who drive in convoy at excessive speeds, often late at night, placing themselves, their occupants and other road users at risk.
‘We don’t have a problem with car enthusiasts meeting up and discussing their hobby and talking about modifications. But we do have a problem when this spills into using the Island’s roads as a racetrack.
‘We are now seeing a rise in this sort of activity from the early evening, with flurries of activity until about 2am or 3am. Not only are these people putting themselves and other road users at great risk but they are also causing a disturbance to people who are being woken up by cars going past at excessive speeds in the early hours.’
He added: ‘One of our goals is to ensure the safety of our community and create an environment where everyone can feel secure on our roads. We know that anti-social driving remains a high priority for Islanders and we are committed to tackling dangerous driving and keeping our roads safe.
‘Operation Canvas represents a concerted effort to confront the dangerous behaviours exhibited by these anti-social drivers who show little regard for the safety of themselves or others. We aim to send a clear message that reckless driving will not be tolerated in Jersey.’
– In the four weeks after the launch on Operation Canvas in June 2020, 53 people were caught speeding and 26 unroadworthy vehicles were impounded.
