Month of M62 action to target unsafe drivers
Previous incidents included a driver drinking tea with no hands on the wheel
A month-long campaign is underway to catch drivers on the M62 who are willing to risk not just their lives, but others as well.
Operation Pennine is aimed at reducing the number of incidents on the motorway.
Police in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, the Liverpool Ports Police, West Yorkshire and Hull will be using National Highways' unmarked HGV cabs to try and reduce and prevent the number of accidents seen on the roads.
28,607 incidents were recorded on the M62, with 1,651 of those being crashes.
Merseyside Police found 30 people not wearing a seatbelt, 59 using a mobile phone, and eight people not being in control of their vehicle. 140 were speeding.
From the elevated HGVs, officers will be in a position to see unsafe driving in any vehicle.
During Operation Tramline last summer, one driver was spotted on the M6 sipping a mug of tea with no hands on the wheel (pic top).
He was given a traffic offence report, which led to three points on his licence and a £100 fine.
On the M56 in Cheshire, another driver was found at the wheel of his lorry without his seatbelt on.
He was also fined £100.
National Highways say the most common offences on the motorway are not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone and not being in proper control of a vehicle.
Lisa Scott, National Highways' Regional Safety Programme Manager for the North West, said:
"Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel. However, some drivers are putting themselves and others at risk through using mobile phones, driving without a seatbelt or even handling a boiling hot drink at the wheel.
"We are committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured while travelling on our roads by 50% by 2025 and we have a long-term ambition for zero harm.
"To achieve that we need to tackle the unsafe driving behaviour that we sadly still encounter.
"Through this month of action we want to encourage motorists to think about their driving and to adopt safer behaviours.
"Those who continue to pose a risk should be aware that we are working with our police partners to make sure they are spotted and prevented from causing serious harm to themselves or others."
Traffic officers, road safety partnerships and TyreSafe will also be at motorway services over the next month to offer advice to drivers and check tyres and vehicles.
Sergeant Matt Picton, from the North West Commercial Vehicle unit, said:
"This operation highlights the number of drivers that are willing to risk their lives and that of others.
"Having a driving licence comes with great responsibility and those that abuse that will be dealt with accordingly.
"Once again, this operation shows the blatant disregard of some drivers who choose to ignore the rules of the road and we will not tolerate those who do.
"Using a mobile phone, no seat belt, speeding, poor mechanical condition, breach of drivers' hours, over loaded etc are all things that can be eradicated from our roads if people pay just stop and think before they act.
"We are committed to making all roads safer and we will continue to enforce road traffic legislation daily and target those who risk the most harm to the public who just want to go about their daily business without fear of injury or death.
"Far too many people are seriously injured or killed on Britain's roads and we will continue our work to reduce that number."
Martin Humphreys, Chief Officer for Port of Liverpool Police, said:
"We are pleased to announce our collaboration with National Highways in our commitment to ensuring the ongoing safety of our roads.
"As part of our support for Operation Pennine, the Port of Liverpool Police will be ensuring all drivers and vehicles are operating in accordance with legislation."