Ten Arrested in One Day as Police Crack Down on Dangerous Drivers in Cornwall

Roads targeted in week-long ‘Fatal Five’ operation

Police seized vehicles, issued hundreds of traffic offence notices, and made several arrests across Cornwall last week during a major road safety crackdown targeting dangerous driving.

Between 23rd and 28th March, Devon & Cornwall Police carried out ‘Operation Herbless’, a campaign aimed at increasing awareness around road safety and the ‘fatal five’ – the five most common causes of collisions that result in serious injury or death.

Multiple Arrests and Vehicle Seizures

As part of the campaign, officers launched a proactive enforcement operation on Thursday 27th March 2025. The day saw five cars seized and 10 arrests made across Cornwall.

Vehicles were seized due to drivers having no licence or insurance, with owners now required to pay a recovery fee and prove the person collecting the car is both insured and licenced before the vehicle will be released.

Offences recorded by police during the operation included:

• 6 drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs

• 3 disqualified drivers arrested

• 1 arrest for possession of Class A and Class B drugs

• 5 mobile phone offences

• 261 other traffic offences

Raising Awareness Around the ‘Fatal Five’

Inspector Tony Hannaford from the Alliance Roads Policing Team said:

“The ‘fatal five’ causes of deaths and serious injuries on our roads are drink and drug driving, failing to wear seatbelts, distracted driving (such as using a mobile phone or tablet at the wheel), fitness to drive (including poor eyesight and lack of experience) and speeding.

“Last year, 23 people sadly lost their lives as a result of collisions on roads in Cornwall. Each one of these collisions is a tragedy and will have been devastating for the family and friends of the people involved.”

Drivers caught committing offences can face fines, points on their licence, court proceedings, or even imprisonment for more serious offences.

Inspector Hannaford continued:

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers to take more care on the roads; to look out for other road users, and to consider how losing their driving licence would affect them, their employment, their family and their livelihood.

“Our aim is to keep everyone safe on our roads and we will continue to target motorists whose poor driving puts others at risk.”

National Campaign Continues Through April

The operation in Cornwall ties into a wider national campaign running through April, which highlights the most common causes of serious and fatal road traffic collisions.