The times police were called to drivers performing dangerous U-turns on the A30 near Hayle

Only three people have been prosecuted

An Audi driver is pictured performing an illegal u-turn on the A30 Hayle bypass

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Illegal U-turns on the A30 near Hayle have been an issue for a long time.

People often take to social media to share pictures or videos of drivers who get stuck in traffic and decide to dangerously turn around across several lanes of traffic.

However, a recent Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by a member of the public to Devon and Cornwall Police has shown that there have only been 16 reports of such manoeuvres to the force in 2018 and 2019.

The data also shows that only three people were prosecuted during that period.

The member of the public, who wishes to remain anonymous, asked for information on all the reports sent to the force regarding drivers performing U-turns on the stretch of the road in the last two years.

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He also asked if the drivers involved were prosecuted.

He said: "It seems that since the start of the 2018 until the end of July 2019, there were only 16 reports of U-turns on the bypass, which shows that most people never bothered to report these incidents. Or, something else, I don't know.

"Also, as far as I can see, only three drivers were prosecuted in any respect. That's no where near enough to be a deterrent."

The earliest report shared by Devon and Cornwall Police was on May 12, 2018.

The force said: "A motorcyclist was hit by a car doing a U-turn where there are solid white line."

There were then five reports in August 2018.

On August 1, a vehicle was seen doing a U-turn while traffic was 'pretty heavy', despite signs stating not to.

The following day, a vehicle did a U-turn and 'knocked someone off on a motorbike,' the police reported.

On August 7, words of advice were given to a driver after vehicles were seen doing U-turns.

On August 14, there was a report of highway disruption. Police said: "It looks like there has been a road traffic collision causing obstruction in the carriageway and vehicles doing U-turns."

The following day, a black car did a U-turn in a queue of traffic on route to Penzance.

On September 3, 2018, there was an offence on a roundabout. According to the police, a caller was able to stop, put hazard lights on and allowed a car to do a U-turn.

On October 14, there was a road traffic collision and an attempted U-turn.

On November 12, a vehicle performed a U-turn in traffic.

In 2019:

• March 29: Highway disruption. There are now tailbacks and caller has witnessed approximately 20 cars now perform U-turns on the A30 in order to head back the other way.

• March 30: Highway disruption. Vehicles doing U-turns.

• April 18 April: Road related offence. Caller reporting a lot of vehicles are doing U-turns on the Hayle bypass.

• May 28: Road related offence. Vehicles doing U-turns, significant disruption for unknown reason. Roads policing unit have spoken to a number of drivers regarding this illegal manoeuvre.

• July 7: Road traffic collision. Damage only. Caller in the queue of traffic along the A30 Hayle - she is reporting several impatient vehicles doing U-turns across three lanes of traffic.

• July 17: Highway disruption. Offenders drove off after doing illegal U-turns. Roads Policing Unit attended to deter further offences.

• July 18: Highway disruption. Traffic is horrendous and vehicles are doing U-turns on the road.

Drivers were prosecuted in three instances. In all cases the drivers were given endorsable notices and had to retrain.

The first one was after an offence on March 10, 2018. Police said it was a 'driver without reasonable consideration'.

The second one was following an offence on April 13, 2018. Police said it was 'driver without due care and attention'.

The third one was after an offence on July 3, 2018, and the force said it was a 'driver without due care and attention'.

Last month a petition was launched by the Mid-Cornwall Motorcycle Action Group for the stretch of the A30 to be dualled.

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The petition, which was addressed to Highways England, read: "The stretch of the A30 from Camborne to St Erth has become a dangerous stretch of road due to the reckless illegal U-Turns made by impatient drivers.

"We are requesting that this part of the A30 be changed to dual carriageway in order to place a central reservation to prevent this dangerous manoeuvring.

"It will create a safer stretch of road where currently accidents are on the increase.

"Current signage has been improved but is still inadequate and as there is no way of physically preventing vehicles from committing hazardous manoeuvres there needs to be something adequate put in place."

So far, 791 people signed the petition.

via https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/times-police-were-called...