Wiltshire Police tackling dangerous driving on the M4 with 'Op Tramline'
An operation to tackle dangerous driving on the M4 has been running in Wiltshire
An operation to tackle dangerous driving on the M4 has been running in Wiltshire.
Operation Tramline involves officers using an unmarked HGV to spot drivers committing offences on the M4 between junctions 14 and 18 - a convoy of police cars then stops the offender.
The operation targets the ''fatal five offences' including driving while using a mobile phone, drink/drug driving, and speeding.
These include using mobile phones at the wheel, not wearing a seat belt and keeping cars in dangerous condition.
The HGV gives police an elevated view into cars and lorries so they can identify those committing offences.
Once the spotter has seen and captured evidence of a driver breaking the law, the trailing convoy of marked police cars is informed and the offender is safely stopped.
This process enables them to effectively police all types of vehicles on the motorway.
Operation Tramline runs multiple times a year and aims to target drivers who commit any of the fatal five offences, which are:
- Driving while using a mobile phone
- Driving under the influence of drink/drugs
- Driving at excess speed
- Failing to wear a seatbelt
- Careless driving
Sgt Bott, from Wiltshire’s Roads Policing Team, said: “The large policing presence which descended on the M4 was a strong deterrent to any would-be offenders.
“While some of the offences may seem insignificant, they are being committed by people controlling vehicles weighing several tonnes when a momentary lapse in concentration could result in a fatal collision.
“Operation Tramline sends a strong message to those individuals – you are not invisible from the height of your HGV cab, and you will face prosecution if you are caught breaking the law.”