POLICE have launched a crackdown on dangerous motorists after complaints and concerns across the West Dorset community.

Dorset Police's No Excuse team have stepped up their efforts to target bad driving with operations around West Dorset this week. A number of drivers were stopped in Bridport yesterday.

A total of 19 people have been killed so far on Dorset's roads this year.

The latest casualty was a 65-year-old motorcyclist who died when he lost control of his bike and hit a parapet at the Beaminster Tunnel on Sunday.

In response to the number of crashes, Dorset Police's No Excuse campaign now has a dedicated full-time team educating drivers to become safer motorists and responding to resident complaints.

The Bridport and Lyme Regis News joined the team on a patrol around Bridport and surrounding areas yesterday, led by Sgt Stuart Pitman with PC Jason Cartridge.

Sgt Pitman said: “The KSI (killed or seriously injured) rate in Dorset is far too high - so the most important thing is to re-educate people so their behaviour doesn't lead to a dangerous collision.

“We have nine 'active' areas in Bridport which are either based on complaints or have been the scene of serious collisions.” Watch a video of the Dorset Police No Excuse team out on patrol in Bridport below.

One hotspot highlighted was East Road in Bridport, where concerns had been raised about speeding motorists.

During the operation yesterday, a man driving a Vauxhall Zafira was stopped after travelling at 40mph in a 30mph zone.

The holidaymaker, who received roadside education with literature, said: “This has encouraged me to slow down in future; it's a shock tactic but it's worked.”

Later, a man driving an Audi A7 at 93mph in a 50mph zone on the outskirts of Bridport was pulled over by police.

The driver, who will now be appearing in court, said: “It was a moment of stupidity, I was stuck in traffic from Charmouth to Bridport and was late - but there really is no excuse.”

Another motorist was also clocked driving a BMW at 68mph in a 50mph temporary zone on the A35 from Bridport to Chideock.

The man drove at high speed past two police accident signs warning motorists to slow down and overtook a lorry 'with no regard' to other motorists, said Sgt Pitman.

The driver will now undergo a driving awareness course after two breaches of speeding - at 61mph and 68mph - and one low level breach of driving without due care and attention.

He told The News: “I'm a seasoned professional driver but took my eye off the ball for one minute; this is the wakeup call I needed.

“When driving you learn something new every day; when you stop learning will be the day you have a serious accident.”

Police received around 900 complaints during 2013 from Dorset residents pointing out dangerous or careless driving and speeding.

Insp Mike Darby said in the last three years, Dorset police have also issued on average 3000 penalty notices for use of a mobile phone when driving.

The aim of the team, who operate 24 hours a day, is to use a combination of enforcement and education to tackle the 'fatal five.'

These are drink and drug driving; excessive and inappropriate speed; not wearing a seatbelt; driver distractions such as hand-held mobile phones; and careless driving.

Sgt Pitman said: “West Dorset is generally a quiet and peaceful area but this demonstrates there are still people behaving recklessly and stupidly.

“One morning in Bridport has netted a very serious speeding driver with others also committing speeding offences.

“I would urge everyone to check their vehicles coming into the winter season, checking they have the correct MOT, insurance and tax documents and that their vehicle is roadworthy - because if not we will deal with them.”

ON the same day as the No Excuse crackdown in Bridport, two people from the town were arrested after a car failed to stop and was pursued by police.

Dorset Police traffic officers were on patrol yesterday morning when they attempted to stop a car in Weymouth.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Two people from Bridport, a 27-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and other driving offences and are currently assisting police with enquiries.”

Any witnesses should contact PC Mark Farrow on 101 quoting incident number 29:112.”