What is Operation Safe Drive?

Operation Safe Drive began in October 2008. Due to the ever changing needs of the community CREST needed  to diversify and engage into other road safety areas rather than just the traditional speed enforcement which has been ongoing since 2001. CREST has teamed up with the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams to combat anti social driving issues and common driving offences which can be related to many collisions which occur across Derbyshire. A usual Safe Drive scenario would consist of CREST officers and local Safer Neighbourhood Police officers teaming up to issue tickets and provide road safety advice where necessary when an offence has been committed. The overall objective being, to make drivers more aware of the consequences of driving dangerously, and to generally make vehicles much safer, not only for the owners benefit, but also for other road users as well.

The offences

Offences vary considerably during Safe Drive. From mobile phone offences, to defective lighting offences and driving without any insurance offences. Notably drivers and passengers wearing no seatbelts are sadly very common. CREST aim to provide advice on the relevant consequences of all these problem areas wherever possible. More recently Safe Drive has encompassed other bodies not only CREST and Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams, but Roads Policing officers and the Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency (VOSA). By having Roads Policing and VOSA attend Safe Drive Operations, a larger array of specialist checks can be carried out to maximise our effectiveness and contribution towards road safety.

Where do we target?

Reducing anti social behaviour in Derbyshire is a priority for Derbyshire Constabulary. Safe Drive is set up in areas where the Local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams have issues regarding anti social driving fed from intelligence and members of the local public. This ensures that Safe Drive is only conducted in the correct areas and the public receive a quality service.

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