MOTORISTS driving with treadless tyres or blown brake bulbs could face police roadside checks in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on the town's roads.

Officers from Warrington will be checking cars, trucks and motorcycles during the next two weeks if they feel they pose a safety risk.

Even if your car is in good condition, officers will also be checking driver's documentation to make sure everything is in order.

The emphasis is on accident prevention rather than driver persecution or prosecution, say the town's traffic police.

PC Keith Curbishley said: "The overall aim is to reduce the number of injuries and accidents on our roads, a proportion of which are caused by vehicles that are defective.

"By making cars safer we can hopefully reduce this figure," he said.

A minor fault is likely to warrant no more than help and advice from officers at the roadside. Motors deemed to be dangerous however could result in the owner landing a hefty fine, penalty points or even having their vehicle removed from the road.

PC Curbishley's advice to drivers is to check their cars and repair them if necessary.

He added: "If you look after your car or bike it will look after you. Most people realise that a tyre needs changing or a bulb replacing but tend to put it off.

"By doing so they run the risk of being stopped by us, or worse, being involved in an accident because their vehicle wasn't safe," he said.

Police will be running the campaign from today, Friday, until Thursday January 28.

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