Operation Taurus

Officers from Forres Local Policing Team, together with Roads Policing officers, carried out an Operation Taurus in the Forres area, on Tuesday 25 January 2011,

Operation Taurus is a Moray Road Safety Group initiative supported by The Moray Council and the Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership.  It involves utilising multiple Police Units to cover small specific areas to ensure we target all vehicles that are on the move in that area.  We want drivers to be aware that during their journey there is a real chance that they could be stopped and checked.

Officers stopped a total of 35 vehicles over a two hour period.  Four breath tests were carried out, three being negative and one recording a warn as it had detected alcohol but the driver was not over the limit.

Offences detected included careless driving, vehicle with dangerous parts, excise offences and various other miscellaneous road traffic offences.

In total 70 drivers/passengers were spoken to, 15 of whom were young drivers.

Sergeant Pam Gordon who organised the Operation said:  "I am aware that the Festive drink drive figures for Moray area have already gone down this year with four positive breath tests recorded compared to 11 the previous year.

"It is excellent to see that drivers are obviously paying attention to the various road safety messages.  I hope they continue to do so as we will be continuing with these types of patrols.  If anyone thinks they will take a chance there is a real possibility that they will be stopped and caught.  Please continue to heed our road safety messages and demonstrate the responsible attitude to driving as shown over the festive period and now during our latest Operation on Burns night."

Members of the public are urged to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700 if they suspect anyone is drinking and driving.