Drivers across a major region have been slapped with hefty fines for failing to meet road rules, while behind the wheel with motorists warned of penalties for breaching the law.

It comes after North Wales Police conducted a major operation last week, which saw drivers given eyesight tests and road safety checks.

The operation, which was held at the Fire Station on Coast Road, checked vehicles for roadworthiness and ensured that the eyesight of the driver reached a required standard.

Under UK law, drivers must be able to read a legal, clean registration plate from 20 metres in daylight conditions or risk being taken off the road.

MERSEYSIDE POLICE | Drivers must be able to read a registration plate from 20 metres away

The police stopped 79 drivers who all passed their eyesight test with no issues, with the majority continuing their journey within a couple of minutes.

However, despite positive eyesight results, several traffic penalties were handed out to drivers for offences committed on the local roads.

The penalties saw 13 drivers fined for travelling without a seatbelt, while four motorists were fined for driving while using a mobile phone.

The fine for driving without a seatbelt can result in a £100 penalty, but this can increase to £500 if the case goes to court.

PA |

Police tested several drivers to make sure their eyesight met the UK driving standard

A further two drivers were stopped for failing to have an MOT, with another road user given a penalty for having defective tyres, while four people were fined for driving without insurance.

The penalty for driving without insurance is £300 as well as six penalty points, but if the case goes to court, drivers could face an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured.

The operation also saw two number plate offences, three cases of insecure loads and three stop searches, while two PG9 Prohibition Notices were issued, which restrict the use of a vehicle on a public road due to safety concerns.

In the UK, driving with illegal or improperly displayed number plates can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and may also result in the vehicle failing its MOT test.

But more shockingly, a driver was also arrested by the police on suspicion of drug driving after testing positive for cannabis at the roadside. The driver has since been released pending further investigation as we await the results of further tests.

Two electric scooters were also seized by the police for being used on public roads, which breaches the law that currently permits the use of e-scooters to only Government-approved rental trial areas.

Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle paths and can only be used on private property.

DEVON AND CORNWALL POLICE |

The police caught several drivers breaking UK road rules

Sergeant Duncan Logan of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, and we make no apologies in trying to reduce serious and fatal collisions in line with road safety initiatives such as this one held yesterday.

"Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and every single day we act against those responsible for illegal driving."

He explained that further operations will be carried out over the upcoming months, with the police committed to making the roads of North Wales as safe as possible.

"If this operation prevented one person from being injured or worse, killed – then we see it as a success," he added.