A POLICE crackdown on dangerous driving in Bradford has now seen more than 3,000 motorists snared.

Operation Steerside was inspired by the Telegraph & Argus Stop The Danger Drivers campaign, has seen a total of 3,019 drivers stopped since the start of February.

Police are targeting all forms of dangerous driving, but specifically: speeding; using a mobile phone at the wheel; not wearing a seat belt; driving without insurance; and other road-related offences.

So far, 1,049 drivers have been caught speeding, 285 for using a mobile phone at the wheel; 1,064 for not wearing a seatbelt; 219 for driving without insurance, and 402 for other traffic offences.

A total of 236 vehicles have also been seized.

Sergeant Cameron Buchan, who runs the operation, said: “It’s a mixed bag.

“It’s a landmark figure to have reached, but it’s sad that it has taken only 19 weeks to achieve that.

“Bradford is no different to any other city with driving. It is moving in the right direction.

“Steerside was never about the number of offences dealt with, but is about improving the roads of Bradford.

"The main thrust has been education, not persecution.

“The whole thing is improving the safety of road users, and say to the road users using them unlawfully that we are looking for you and taking action towards you.

“I am proud we have captured the public’s imagination. People are sending us dash cam footage and reporting other dangerous drivers. They now know there is a specific avenue to report that.”

The running total for phase two of the scheme - from April 1 onwards - has seen 1,480 drivers caught. Phase one - February and March - saw 1,539 motorists caught breaking the law.

The latest weekly totals saw 192 motorists caught - 82 for speeding; 14 for using a mobile phone at the wheel; 79 for not wearing a seat belt; eight for driving without insurance and nine for other offences. A total of eight vehicles were seized.

A spokesman for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “We are pleased to see the police cracking down on dangerous driving in Bradford.

“At Brake, we work with families whose lives have been devastated because someone chose to drive too fast or used their mobile behind the wheel. Enforcement plays a major part in keeping our roads safe.

“We urge the Government to make investment in roads policing a priority: it saves lives.”

Incidents of dangerous driving can be reported to bradforddistrictasbbiketeam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or on 01274 373968 or 101.