Intensified surveillance detects many traffic offences

A total of 666 summary penal fees, 416 fines and 91 temporary driving ban issued to the vehicle drivers during the intensified police surveillance near the schools, particularly at the time when the school day started and ended during the last two weeks, police said.

Particular attention was paid to compliance with traffic rules at pedestrian crossings and to driving speeds, especially on August 8 to 10 in accordance with the European-wide enforcement theme, said a press release issued by National Police Board on Wednesday.

Further focus areas included pedestrian and bicycle traffic behaviour, observing of traffic lights, the use of safety equipment and other distractions in traffic.

According to Chief Superintendent Timo Ajaste, the number of speeding drivers caught by the police was high again this year.

“Almost one thousand formal notices, 666 summary penal fees and 416 fines were issued to drivers on-site. In addition, a temporary driving ban was issued to 91 drivers, in most cases due to considerable speeding,” said Ajaste.

Four motorists overtook a car, which had halted at a pedestrian crossing, without stopping and 33 failed to give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings. Moreover, a total of 25 drivers were observed running a red light or a STOP sign. A total of 54 summary penal fees were issued to pedestrians or cyclists.

In addition, automatic surveillance cars detected 1,300 vehicles speeding during the surveillance operation in the proximity of schools on 8–10 August.

A total of 206 drivers or passengers were found not wearing seatbelts. Motorists who were using a mobile phone while driving numbered 106.