Over 300 offences found in Norfolk and Suffolk police operation targeting HGVs
The Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team were supported by Highways England during the week of action
Police targeting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Norfolk and Suffolk detected over 300 offences in five days.
Between 8 and 12 March the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team took part in Operation Tramline.
It saw them use an HGV tractor unit, supplied by Highways England, to patrol the A11, A12, A14 and A47 and provide a better sight into other lorry cabs and down into smaller vehicles.
Officers stopped 248 motorists, including 135 HGVs and 86 smaller goods vehicles, and detected 307 offences.
In total, 256 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) were issued to drivers:
- 165 for not wearing a seatbelt
- 55 for construction and use
- 28 for using a mobile phone
- 25 for an insecure bed
- 12 for not being in proper control of the vehicle
- Nine for driving without due care and attention fro excess speed
- Five for excess speed
- Eight others for various offences including driver hours and driving through a red light
Sergeant Scott Lee-Amies, of the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: "We will continue to do all we can to provide enforcement and education around the ‘fatal four’ main causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, which are drink/drug driving; speeding; using a mobile phone; and lastly, not wearing a seatbelt - which unfortunately always seems to feature heavily when we hold these operations."
Regional Safety Coordinator for the East region at Highways England, Lorraine Willis, added: "Highways England’s priority is to try to ensure everyone using or working on our network gets home safe and well, and to enable our police colleagues to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
"There is no excuse for driving tired or driving an unsafe lorry or other vehicle, and we will not hesitate in taking action against those who flout the law on the Strategic Road Network."