Police take to the sky to tackle dangerous riding

Road safety police have taken to the skies with specialist drone technology to help tackle dangerous driving on North Yorkshire's roads.

Operation 'Apex' focused on a stretch of the B1222, near Sherburn's Squires Café Bar – a long standing popular destination for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.

Police say the route has been the scene of a number of serious collisions in recent times and is regularly the subject of reports of dangerous overtaking, excessive speed and other high-risk driving behaviour.

Operation Apex took place on Thursday, 6 August and Sunday 9 August and saw officers from the dedicated Roads Safety Team officers monitor road users upon high, enabling them to detect offences that can be difficult to identify through traditional roadside enforcement alone.

Across the two days, officers:

• Issued 44 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs)
• Seized vehicles being driven without insurance
• Conducted numerous vehicle stops
• Engaged with drivers and riders to promote safer road use

Superintendent Mick Roffe, Head of Specialist Operations at North Yorkshire Police said, "Our aim is simple: to save lives and protect our communities. Drone technology gives us a clear view of driver and rider behaviour, helping us identify dangerous manoeuvres that might otherwise go undetected. It provides valuable evidence and allows us to target enforcement where it can have the greatest impact.

He added, "Most motorists and motorcyclists use our roads responsibly, but we will continue to take action against those whose behaviour puts themselves and others at risk.