POLICE have been taking steps to crack down on boy racers in Ryedale.
And one driver who ignored road safety laws was hit with a £500 fine during a joint operation involving North Yorkshire Police, HM Revenue & Customs and the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency.
The driver of a Range Rover Sport was issued with an o
n-th-spot fine by customs officials for the illegal use of red diesel. He was also given a fixed penalty ticket by police officers for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.
The successful initiative, which was part of Operation Anvil, centred on the A171 between Pickering to Whitby.
Police say boy racers are an increasing problem in the area.
A total of 44 vehicles were stopped for a range of offences, resulting in 38 fixed penalty tickets issued to motorists, including:
l Six vehicles taken off the road for mechanical defects
l six delayed prohibitions for mechanical defects
l four VOSA advisory notifications
l one for the illegal use of red diesel
l 10 for failing to wear a seatbelt
l three for incorrect registration plates
l one for using a mobile phone while driving
l three for illegally tinted windows
l two for driving with defective tyres
l one for driving without an MOT
l one for driving without insurance.
Eight people were breathalysed but readings were negative.
Traffic Constable Dave Burlingham, of the Eastern Area Road Policing Group, is confident the message is getting through to irresponsible drivers.
He said: "This was a very successful and busy operation. We stopped seven boy racers who were responsible for eight offences which we dealt with.
"One had only passed his test a month ago and had two defective tyres. He was dealt with and given some strong advice about looking after his vehicle.
"We got as many boy racers in as we could and want word to get around that we will not tolerate their behaviour which is causing a nuisance and upsetting residents and other road users. Their manner of driving is also very dangerous to themselves and other people."
North Yorkshire Police are continuing to work in conjunction with 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership to ensure the continued success of Operation Anvil.
