Drivers caught watching YouTube while behind the wheel in Norfolk
Police in Norfolk stopped 132 vehicles and detected more than 130 offences during Operation Tramline
Two drivers were caught watching YouTube videos on their mobile phones this month.
Operation Tramline involves police using an HGV tractor unit, provided by National Highways, to carry out patrols across the county’s strategic road network and focus on offences committed by lorry drivers.
Police in Norfolk stopped 132 vehicles and detected more than 130 offences, during a five-day operation which took place between Saturday 1 March and Saturday 8 March. Officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team conducted the enforcement on the A47 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. They were looking for drivers failing to wear their seatbelt and behaviour which distracted their attention such as using mobile phones or watching videos. Supporting police officers were then on hand to pull-over any offenders.
A total of 132 vehicles were stopped, including 24 HGVs, 37 LGVs, 68 private vehicles and three others.
137 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), some having committed more than one offence.
These offences included:
- 10 x use of mobile phone
- 22 x not wearing a seatbelt (17 of which were HGV drivers)
- 1 x not in proper control
- 10 x speeding
- 19 x no insurance
- 39 x construction and use
- 1 x driver’s hours
- 17 x due care
- 9 x insecure loads
- 1 x drink/drug drive
- 8 x other
Officers issued 96 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), arrested three people, and issued words of advice to 20 drivers.
There were some particularly shocking examples of driving with one driver seen to be doing her make up at the wheel, leaning on the steering wheel and looking in her rear-view mirror and a HGV driver who was caught filming police officers during the operation on his mobile phone.
Sergeant Ade Hales, of the joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “It is totally unacceptable to watch a TV programme, film or music video whilst driving on a road, especially in these cases which were on a dual carriageway.
“People must keep their full concentration on the task at hand, driving, and not engaging or interacting with any devices. Any interaction with a mobile phone, including the recording of other road users, will result in prosecution, and could receive a £200 fine and 6 points on your driving licence.
“There is growing popularity of Facetime, WhatsApp and Snapchat video calls, with YouTube streaming live and recorded content which poses a significant risk and danger to other road users. Not only are you taking your own life into your own hands, but that of others as well.
“We will always prosecute such offences. The safest thing to do is to wait until you have stopped and parked safely before interacting with any device.”