Ryanair pilots died on M62 on day of police uninsured driver crackdown

A car was involved in a collision with two lorries on the westbound carriageway between junctions eight for Burtonwood and seven for Rainhill Stoops at 5.31am on Thursday.

It was tragically confirmed by Cheshire Police that the two men killed in the crash were captain Matt Greenhalgh, aged 28, and senior first officer Jamie Fernandes, aged 24, who both worked for Ryanair and were travelling to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in a taxi.

Cheshire Police has now confirmed that the day saw Cheshire Police officers join forces with neighbouring constabularies in an operation targeting uninsured drivers.

As part of the operation, more than 90 road policing officers conducted the operation across 220 miles of motorway in both directions – including the stretch on which the fatal crash occurred – giving uninsured drivers no place to hide from repercussions.

During Thursday's operation, officers were based at Burtonwood services from 7am, having been among the first to respond to the fatal crash.

Several officers due to take part in the operation were quickly redeployed to the scene to manage traffic and support the first responders.

On the Cheshire stretch of the motorway, officers stopped a total of 67 vehicles, 43 of which were being driven without insurance.

They also seized nine vehicles, issued 27 traffic offence reports and made two arrests – one involving an outstanding wanted suspect.

Officers stopped drivers for a number of ‘fatal five’ offences, namely careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone and speeding.

Moreover, 11 drivers were stopped for insecure loads, five for the use of mobile phones while driving, three of not wearing a seatbelt, three for driving without due care and attention, two for speeding and two not having a valid MOT certificate.

In addition, nine drivers were issued with a prohibition notice for vehicles with mechanical defects or insecure loads, which prevents them from using their vehicle until the issue has been rectified.

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of Cheshire Police’s roads and crime unit, said: “Thursday's operation was not a one-off.

Police took part in a dedicated operation targeting uninsured drivers on the M62. Picture: Google Maps

“Ensuring Cheshire's roads are safe for motorists, and targeting those who take the privilege of owning a vehicle for granted, is business as usual for the unit.

“It was great to see so many drivers on this particularly busy motorway properly insuring their vehicles.

“By engaging with drivers and explaining to them the laws and regulations surrounding vehicle insurance, and educating them on the importance of adhering to those laws for their own and other road users’ safety, our officers are making a concerted effort to keep our roads and communities safe."

Superintendent Saf Ali added: “While driving without insurance may not seem like a serious crime, we know there is a strong link between the illegal use of vehicles and other serious and organised crime.

"This is why we are working together with our colleagues in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, west Yorkshire and Humberside to send a clear message that police will not stop pursuing those who are intent on coming into and out of Cheshire and flouting the rules of the road.”

Across the remainder of July, officers will be taking part in the National Police Chief Council's Fatal Five Operation, tackling drivers who are dangerously using Cheshire's roads.

Road users who commit a fatal five offence are far more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than those who do not.

Officers have a number of tools at their disposal, such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and traffic stops in marked and unmarked vehicles, to catch uninsured drivers.

It is illegal to drive a vehicle on the road or in a public place without at least third-party insurance.

Even if the vehicle is insured, if you are not correctly insured to drive it, you may be considered to be driving without insurance and could potentially be penalised.

Uninsured drivers could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and six points on their licence, and if the case goes to court, they could face an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.

Police also have the power to seize, and in some cases destroy a vehicle if it is being driven without insurance.