10:50am Monday 6th July 2009
By Ali Dent
YOUNG drivers are being warned against endangering their lives by driving recklessly on Sodbury Common.
Police are urging motorists to avoid the area after one man is believed to have flipped his vehicle on its side while attempting stunts and handbrake turns on the green.
Yate beat manager PC Giles Sutton said: "We do receive several calls about this problem on the common on a frequent basis."
In January the Gazette reported how police were targeting young drivers who gathered on the grassy area and practised noisy stunts.
They were responding to a high number of complaints from local residents and dog walkers.
Officers have now stepped up their crackdown on nuisance motorists.
Chipping Sodbury beat manager PC Mike Hart said: "This kind of behaviour is unnecessary and causes damage to the common. It will not be tolerated."
Sgt Adrian Fallows said anybody caught driving across the common inappropriately would face severe penalties.
"They will be reported for driving without due care and attention and for driving on common land. As well as that they will receive an official warning," he said.
"If the driver is caught committing the same offence again in the following 12 months their vehicle will be seized.
"If the car is spotted being driven with intent to cause a nuisance to the public again in the next year that vehicle will also be seized.
"Potentially the owner then faces a £150 fee to have their vehicle recovered or face it being crushed."
Police will patrol the area regularly and have warned that anyone found driving on the common carelessly will face having their vehicle seized.
To report incidents of careless driving contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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