A CRACKDOWN on reckless drivers has already resulted in more than 50 arrests on two of west London's busiest roads.

Officers from the Met's traffic unit, based at Alperton, have been conducting intensive operations since last month to tackle an increase in bad driving along the A40 and A406.

November has seen as many as 13 fatalities as a result of collisions and a large proportion of these were down to bad or dangerous driving, including tailgating, undertaking, speeding and an element of drink driving. Chief Inspector Ian Brooks who is leading the operation at the Alperton Traffic Unit said: "The A40 is one of the busiest roads in London and when there is a collision it causes mayhem.

"Our investigations have found a number of recent collisions were down to bad driving. Vehicles are not prepared to wait and try to get the motorist in front to move out of the way by driving close behind them or by undertaking them."

Two unmarked police cars fitted with specialist video equipment have been driving along the A40 to capture bad drivers. Those who are deemed to be driving recklessly or dangerously are stopped and then shown the footage of their own driving.

In the last three weeks since the operation started a total of 130 vehicles have been stopped and 54 drivers have been arrested of which 30 per cent have had no driving licence. The operation will run until the end of the year but if it proves successful the Traffic Unit will conduct more during next year.