NEARLY 200 motorists were caught by police during the first seven days of a crackdown on dangerous driving hotspots in Bradford.

Officers started an operation on February 1, mainly focused on five areas of the city that had been identified during intelligence gathering as particularly bad for driving standards.

Day one of the operation saw 21 motorists snared, with a total of 188 caught by day seven on Sunday and 11 vehicles seized.

Of the drivers caught, 72 were not wearing a seat belt, 65 were speeding, 19 were spotted using a mobile phone at the wheel, and 12 had no insurance. The remaining 20 drivers caught have been classified as "other" offences, such as driving through a red light and illegal parking.

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Superintendent Damien Miller, who leads neighbourhood operations at Bradford District Police, said: "The first week of the operation has seen 188 files processed for driving offences, with 11 vehicles being seized, and demonstrates the varying offences being committed by drivers in Bradford and our commitment to dealing with them.

"The operation, aimed at tackling the fatal four driving offences, is ongoing across the district, as well as in the identified hotspots, with the intention of making our roads safer for all users.

"We are committed to making the roads safer for all, and any vehicle which poses or is believed to be posing an immediate risk to the public should be reported on 999. Non-emergency calls should be made on the 101 number."

The two-month police crackdown - inspired by the Telegraph & Argus Stop The Danger Drivers campaign - is focusing on five 'hotspot' areas that have been identified by officers who have been gathering intelligence over the last few weeks.

The operation is targeting drivers who commit the Fatal Four motoring offences, so called because they are considered to be the factors most likely to contribute to a collision. The factors are: drink or drug driving; speeding; using a mobile phone while driving; and not wearing a seatbelt.

Supt Miller said reports about vehicles being used in an anti-social way could also be sent to the district's anti-social behaviour bike team. It can be contacted at bradforddistrictasbbiketeam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, by leaving a message on an answerphone on 01274 373968, or reported to through local police station.