Undercover police use HGV to catch rule-breakers on Norfolk's roads
Hundreds of offences were recorded
More than 220 offences have been recorded during a crackdown on motoring misdemeanors in Norfolk.
Police stopped over 180 vehicles during Operation Tramline, which was supported by National Highways.
Police, provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways, carried out patrols across the county, focussing on offences committed by all motorists with an ability to see raised commercial and goods vehicles.
It took place between 31 August and 3 September and involved officers from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, with enforcement taking place on the A47, A11 and A17.
The HGV tractor unit, which was driven by a police officer, provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look into cabs of other lorry drivers or looking down at cars or vans. Supporting officers would then be on hand to stop any offenders.
A total of 185 vehicles were stopped, including 50 HGVs, 72 LGVs and 63 other vehicles.
223 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) and other disposal methods available to the officers with some having committed more than one offence.
Offences include:
• 16 for using a mobile phone
• 5 for not being in proper control
• 55 for not wearing a seatbelt
• 12 for speeding
• 1 for no insurance
• 78 for construction and use offences
• 6 for driving over allotted hours
• 14 for driving without due care
• 30 for an insecure load
• 1 for driving through a red light
• 5 for other offences
Inspector Simon Jones in the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team said:
"Whilst it is pleasing to see so many vehicles being stopped and checked, it is equally disappointing to see so many offences committed over a relatively short period of time.”
"Our team stopped 185 vehicles and reported drivers for over 220 offences. Over one third of those offences include not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or speeding. As we continually reiterate – these are the fatal four offences that make you more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision.
"This operation shows that we will work with our partners to utilise the tools available to us in order to monitor and where necessary, prosecute all manner of traffic offences. We will continue to work to educate lorry drivers about the dangers of driving in a reckless manner in order to keep our roads safe for all drivers.”
Chris Smith, National Highways, assistant regional safety coordinator for the East of England, said:
"Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel but some are putting themselves and others at risk. We introduced the HGV supercabs to help keep the roads safe and tackle dangerous driving by people who have either got into bad habits or are simply ignoring the law. The cabs have helped to identify thousands of unsafe drivers since their introduction, and we hope they will encourage everyone to think about what more they could do to improve how they drive.”
Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie said: "This is one of a number of road safety operations to take place in the county in recent months and once again we have had a large number of drivers committing a wide variety of offences. It’s easy for any of us to feel invincible behind the wheel, but the reality is that too many people are being injured or killed on our roads because of entirely preventable accidents.
"I’ve said it before, but these types of operations shouldn’t be necessary. Enforcement activity on our roads requires significant funding from police budgets every year and those are funds that come from Norfolk’s taxpayers. I expect our police force to do all they can to keep our roads safe for all users, but we all have our own part to play too by driving within the law and taking care for the benefit of ourselves and others.”
Anyone caught committing an offence as part of the operation, who was issued with a TOR, could face a fine, points on their licence or even court action.