Over 100 vehicles stopped during operation using HGV supercab

Police in Suffolk stopped 104 vehicles and detected over 100 offences, as part of a roads policing operation that took place recently.

Operation Tramline saw police provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways, which allowed officers to carry out patrols across the county’s strategic road network and use this elevated position to detect drivers of all types of vehicle who are committing offences.

The initiative took place between Monday, September 29, and Thursday, October 2, and involved officers from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, and the Road Casualty Reduction Team, with enforcement taking place on the A14, A12 and A11.

The HGV tractor unit – which was driven by a police officer – provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, whilst also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars too. Supporting police officers are then on hand to pull-over any offenders.

A total of 104 vehicles were stopped, including 42 HGVs, 31 smaller goods vehicles, 30 cars and one taxi.

102 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), some having committed more than one offence.

97 TORs were issued, with the primary offences highlighted below

• 47 for not wearing a seat belt;
• 28 for using a mobile phone;
• 10 for not being in proper control or driving without due care and attention (six of whom were watching videos or making video calls while driving);
• Eight for construction and use (roadworthiness offences)
• Five for an insecure load;
• One each for an overloaded van, speeding, no insurance, and contravening a red light.

Two graduated fixed penalty notices were issued, with total fines of £400, and three people were given words of advice.

PC Terry Harvey, of the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “This was another very worthwhile operation as demonstrated by the volume of offences detected, with the daily average consistent once again with previous campaigns.

“I continue to be shocked that we catch people taking such huge risks like watching videos or making video calls while driving.

“Anyone doing this is extremely reckless and putting the lives of other road users at risk.

“We are again very grateful to National Highways for providing us with the HGV tractor unit free of charge.

“This enables us to carry-out enforcement in respect of not only drivers who are in control of the biggest and therefore potentially most dangerous vehicles on the roads, but also gives us additional opportunities to detect offences being committed by all road users.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I fully support this pro-active approach to crack down on irresponsible drivers using our strategic road network.

“I spent some time in an HGV cab on a previous campaign and was amazed at what you see when you’re at eye level with another HGV. It really does give officers an excellent view and an opportunity to see offences they might otherwise miss.

“I’d like to congratulate the Constabulary on these impressive results, although I’m absolutely staggered by the mindless stupidity of those drivers risking their own lives, and the lives of others, by watching videos whilst driving – it absolutely beggars belief. I am just glad officers were able to identify this madness and deal with the drivers accordingly.

He added: “I also find it very disappointing that drivers still need to be reminded about something so obvious as putting on a seat belt or not using a mobile phone – there really is no excuse for that at all.”