Aggressive Eastbourne Drivers Risk Losing Vehicles

Monday, 13 July 2020 13:48

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Monitoring traffic between Eastbourne and Beachy Head (image: Sussex Police)

Police in Eastbourne say they've used the law to threaten anti-social motorists with losing their vehicles, after what they've called a "night of action" against aggressive drivers.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit and local prevention teams said they used Saturday night (July 11) to patrolling areas in Eastbourne where the public have reported an increase in anti-social driving.

They said they stopped a number of vehicles to talk with drivers, highlighting the need for safe and considerate behaviour on the roads.

Warnings were issued under Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act, allowing police to issue a warning about anti-social driving which, if repeated in a year, gives officers power to seize the vehicle.

In law, the driving must be judged to cause "alarm, distress or annoyance".

One warning was issued to a vehicle on Lottbridge Drove after it was seen travelling at excess speed and undertaking.

Another went to a vehicle on Golden Jubilee Way seen to be driven at excess speed, undertaking on a roundabout and where the driver intentionally revved the engine to produce noise.

If the driver is found to have done so again within a year of the warning being issued, police have the power to seize the vehicle.

Officers also gave out two Traffic Offence Reports for excess speed on the Polegate Bypass and the Pevensey Bypass.

Chief Inspector Di Lewis, district commander for Eastbourne and Lewes, said:

"We have listened to the public's concerns around anti-social driving and have identified a number of hotspots where this is taking place.

"Our night of action on Saturday night saw targeted patrols in these areas, and the vast majority of drivers we spoke to were supportive of our activity.

"We want to engage positively with young drivers, to educate and build a relationship with them as key members of our community.

"We understand the distress anti-social driving can have on members of our community and we will continue to respond effectively to their concerns, taking appropriate action where necessary."

According to officers, members of the public are encouraged to report issues to police, either online or by calling 101.

For more information on anti-social driving and how to report it, police invite the public to visit https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/vehicle-nuisance-involving-cars-bikes-and-mopeds/.