WATCH: Dangerous drivers in Yorkshire caught by police using drone technology
Officers in North Yorkshire have used drones to catch dangerous drivers on a stretch of road in Selby.
The Roads Safety Team has carried out a targeted enforcement operation on the B1222 near Sherburn, using specialist drone technology to identify dangerous driving and improve road safety on one of the region's most popular routes for motorcyclists and performance vehicle enthusiasts.
Operation Apex took place on Thursday August 6 and Sunday August 9.
The operation focused on the stretch of road near Squires Café, a popular destination for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.
The route has been the scene of a number of serious collisions and is regularly the subject of reports relating to dangerous overtaking, excessive speed and other high-risk driving behaviour, North Yorkshire Police said.
Using a combination of drone technology and dedicated Roads Safety Team officers, police monitored road users from an elevated vantage point, enabling them to detect offences that can be difficult to identify through traditional roadside enforcement.
Across the two days, officers issued 44 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) and seized vehicles being driven without insurance.
Police said the drone provided officers with a clear aerial view of the route, enabling them to identify dangerous manoeuvres, including unsafe overtakes and other offences that put road users at risk.
Evidence gathered by the drone was used to support enforcement action taken by officers on the ground.
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.
"Operations such as Apex are not about penalising people for the sake of it. They are about preventing serious collisions, reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads, and ensuring that everyone gets home safely.
"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.
"We will continue to use a range of tactics, including drone deployments, to tackle dangerous driving and support our commitment to keeping North Yorkshire's roads safe."