Police fine motorists and cyclists in safety blitz

That's because motorists were under the watchful eye of police officers determined to crack down on a string of offences.

They were on the look-out for people who got behind the wheel while using their mobile phones or not putting on their seatbelts.

In the space of three hours yesterday, four officers stationed in Fulford Road stopped six drivers and handed out £30 fixed-penalty notices for failing to wear seatbelts.

They also issued three further £30 fines to adult cyclists for riding their bikes along a footpath.

The crackdown on driving offences - Operation Impartial - was put together by the Safer Neighbourhood Team policing the Fulford area "Operation Impartial was created to encourage road safety in York, in particular the A19," said PC Jo Brooke, who was one of the team of four officers taking part in the blitz on road crime.

"Every day, the roads of York see drivers putting themselves at risk by not wearing seatbelts or by using a mobile phone while driving or, in extreme cases, driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

"The overall aim of the operation was to promote road safety and awareness as part of the Feeling And Being Safe In York Campaign, run by North Yorkshire Police, the Safer York Partnership, City of York Council and other partners.

"I hope the motorists spoken to will make sure that, in the future, they think of their own personal safety and always wear their seatbelt."

PC Brooke said the A19 had been highlighted as a suitable location for the operation because of its popularity as a route in and out of York.

"We hope what we have done this weekend will make people think twice before breaking the law in future and set out a clear signal to them," she said.

"What we have done is drive home the message that we don't see not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving as a petty offence. This has definitely been a worthwhile exercise. All we are looking out for is people's safety."