Police are set to launch a major crackdown on motorists who attack or swear at traffic wardens.

And Hamilton's top Policeman, Supt. Campbell Simons, warned: "We are now operating a zero tolerance policy towards this.

"Anybody who does anything or says anything out of line to a traffic warden and they report it, it will go to court -- I'm not going to back off from that.'' Supt. Simons said road rage drivers had run into a stop sign after Police, following discussions with traffic wardens, adopted a new get-tough policy.

And already two drivers have landed in court after trouble with traffic wardens, while another has been charged with an alleged offence.

Supt. Simons added: "Traffic wardens have been abused over the years and people have gotten away with it.

"From the start of this year, we made up our minds that we would not tolerate this kind of thing any longer.

"We will take action and put people in court rapidly.'' Supt. Simons explained: "We have had a lot of these complaints recently -- threatening or offensive words, people throwing tickets on the ground or tearing them up.'' And he pledged that even tearing up a ticket could mean a court appearance -- for littering.

He added: "At the moment, we haven't had a serious assault. We want to send a message to motorists that -- if anyone is contemplating putting their hands on traffic wardens -- we will go for the most serious assault we can get.'' A 28-year-old Pembroke man who used offensive words to a traffic warden was bound over for a year in Magistrates' Court last week.

Traffic wardens And last month, a 29-year-old Warwick man was fined $350 and bound over for a year for assaulting a traffic warden and using offensive words.

The double yellow lines to limit drivers' behaviour came after The Royal Gazette revealed that wardens were being driven round the bend by road rage motorists.

Confusion over the validity of tickets has increased tension between Wardens and the public in recent weeks.

But more than a year ago, it was reported that terrified traffic wardens were becoming wary of pounding the pavements due to bad behaviour on the roads.

Traffic wardens then blamed the aggression on extra traffic, more stress-filled lives and deteriorating standards of behaviour, especially among young people.

And one pointed out that the alternative to traffic wardens was chaos on the streets.

She added: "It's not the easiest job in the world. And we're not ogres -- we're doing a job which has to be done.'' Police handed out ten tickets to motorcycle riders yesterday morning as they launched a crackdown on blatant traffic offenders.

Officers were on Rural Hill, Paget and recorded an average speed of 56 to 62 kph by passing motorists -- several of whom were zigzagging in morning traffic.

Within 90 minutes, ten people were ticketed for the dangerous practice.

A Police spokesperson said the checks will continue to be performed throughout the Island at various times of the day.