Campaign targets drivers under 25

Dozens of young people have been prosecuted after a police operation in Cumbria aimed at cutting road deaths amongst the under-25s.

In one case a man was seen texting whilst riding a scooter at speed.

The operation involved Cumbria Police, fire service and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

In all, 45 people were dealt with for a range of offences including failing to wear seatbelts and using heavily tinted car windows.

Mobile phones

The weekend operation centred on the Carlisle and Workington areas and is part of an ongoing campaign to reduce road deaths amongst young drivers.

Last year a cross-border campaign highlighted almost 50 deaths involving drivers between 16 and 25 in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said there was a particularly high number of drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.

The spokesman said 13 vehicles were taken off the road after being found to have been modified in such a way that they posed a danger.

Those who were stopped were shown hard-hitting fire service videos highlighting the consequences of dangerous driving.

The spokesman said further operations would be carried out.