AN OPERATION aimed at encouraging drivers to be respectful on their wheels was hailed a big success.

Police were out in force in Dursley at the weekend, including the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, working together to give drivers advice.

A display area was set up in Sainsbury’s car park to give people safety advice and residents could meet their local policing team.

Meanwhile officers were carrying out roadside checks at various positions around the area.

In total 22 drivers were stopped for a variety of driving offences on Saturday.

Special Constable Steve Lindsay said: "The emphasis of the operation was educating motorists about the dangers they put themselves and others in risk of when driving in this way.

"Once someone was seen committing an offence on Saturday they were stopped and spoken to. Any drivers caught were then given the opportunity to complete a Road Safety Educational Package, instead of receiving a fixed penalty notice."

Eight drivers were caught speeding and of these six completed the educational package. The other two failed to attend and were therefore issued with fixed penalty notices, which is a fine.

One driver was reported for driving with an expired provisional licence and two drivers were reported and their car seized for not having any insurance.

A further 10 drivers and six passengers were caught not wearing their seatbelt and took the educational package. A fixed penalty notice was given to one driver for driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Many local residents went along to meet with the Dursley policing team at Sainsbury’s, who were on hand to offer important advice such as how to correctly fit child safety seats and check tyre tread depth.