POLICE forces across the south west region will be mirroring Dorset’s No Excuse road safety campaign until the end of the month.

Operation Vortex will see dedicated teams of road policing officers – using unmarked cars and motorcycles – patrolling a wide variety of roads across the region in a concerted effort to reduce injury road traffic collisions by improving driver behaviour.

In Dorset, the year-long ‘no excuse’ campaign has been running for the past seven months.

It aims to reduce casualties by tackling the main types of driver and motorcyclist behaviour known to cause death or serious injury. These incorporate the ‘fatal four’ of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, distractions – especially using a mobile phone while driving – and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chief Insp Bob Nichols, head of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “Together with our neighbouring forces we are sending out the clear message that motorists, flouting the rules, are likely to be caught anywhere throughout the entire region.

“The intention is to get motorists at all times to concentrate 100 per cent on their driving behaviour when behind the wheel.

“With our enforcement, education and media campaign and the region’s Operation Vortex we want a long-term change in driver behaviour.

“Our aim is to make Dorset’s roads safer. We are working very hard to reach this goal and, with the co-operation of motorists, we can reduce the tragedy of serious injuries and deaths.”