AS the dark nights are fast approaching drivers are being warned to be safety conscious by Sidmouth police. At this time of the year police notice a vast increase in the amount of cars and bikes without lights. Sergeant Andy Turner of Sidmouth Police said

AS the dark nights are fast approaching drivers are being warned to be safety conscious by Sidmouth police.

At this time of the year police notice a vast increase in the amount of cars and bikes without lights.

Sergeant Andy Turner of Sidmouth Police said: "It is noticeable as the nights get darker there are a lot of cars with defective headlights and rear lights.

"We are urging people to look at their lights before they drive to make sure they are working.

"Last year there was a real problem with cyclists not having bike lights and we actually stopped 13 people in an hour.

"We are going to be very pro-active this year and not issue warnings as people have had enough chances."

Police are also concerned about the number of people incorrectly using fog lights.

Sergeant Turner added: "These are for use in foggy conditions where visibility is badly reduced or there is heavy rain and spray.

"We will issue £30 fixed penalty fines and excuses like I didn't know I had fog lights will not be accepted."

Another issue worrying police is drivers not wearing seatbelts after they stop-checked 40 cars last week and found 13 people were in breach of seatbelt laws.

Sergeant Turner said: "Officers are taking a zero tolerance approach toward this.

"Over the last two years we have lost three residents to fatal road accidents and I want to ensure we don't lose anymore.

"When we investigate road accidents something very simple started a chain of events which leads to someone's death.