Police crack down on 'incredibly dangerous' U-turns

Devon and Cornwall Police is targeting drivers carrying out U-turn manoeuvres at a collision hotspot in Cornwall.

Vision Zero South West and National Highways have installed signs along the Hayle by section of the A30, where "dangerous U-turns" have led to multiple crashes and one death.

It said the signs would encourage drivers to report U-turns to police as part of its Operation Snap initiative.

National Highways senior road safety engineer, Oliver Dash, said: "Carrying out U-turn manoeuvres on a road such as the Hayle by is incredibly dangerous. Although we've installed a U-turn ban, it doesn't appear to be a sufficient deterrent."

A U-turn ban and associated signage was implemented in the area in 2021, after a study identified eight collisions in the area since 2014 as a result of U-turns.

The collisions resulted in one death, with five people seriously injured and 12 with minor injuries.

"We're working with Vision Zero South West and Devon and Cornwall Police's Operation Snap initiative to raise awareness of the risks and encourage responsible road s to report any drivers undertaking these manoeuvres," Mr Dash said.

Motorists with dashcam footage of drivers carrying out the manoeuvres have been urged to submit it to the police to "make the A30 safer for everyone".

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].