A POLICE operation aimed at cracking down on the number of deaths and accidents caused by young drivers took place in Kendal last night (Friday).

Cumbria Constabulary road policing unit teamed up with VOSA to check the vehicles and licenses of young drivers in the town.

Additionally Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service showed each driver a series of “gripping and graphic” DVD clips highlighting the consequences of actions such as inappropriate speed and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Five vehicles were served prohibition notices for offences ranging from defective tyres and lose wheel nuts to excessively noisy exhausts.

Several drivers were breathalised but none found to be over the limit.

Sergeant Joe Force said: “We’ve had an extremely successful evening with a large number of young drivers stopped.

“Our presence was also well received by the businesses on Queen Katherine retail park who regularly suffer with the anti-social behaviour and massive litter problems caused by groups of young drivers using the car park as a congregating area.”

“Hopefully the high visibility of Operation Orwell will have given food for thought to a good number of our young people.”

A disproportionately high number of 16-25 year-olds are involved in serious or fatal road traffic collisions every year.

Operation Orwell aims to reduce the number of serious and fatal road accidents and improve a standard of living for local communities.