Highways England has published footage of a lorry driver veering across a lane and nearly crashing into an unmarked lorry containing Police officers on the lookout for people using their phones at the wheel.
The two officers in the HE “Supercab” on the M40 in Warwickshire spotted the driver using his phone.
It’s one of more than 21,000 offences recorded by officers in the Operation Tramline HGV cabs since the national safety initiative was launched by Highways England.
In another clip captured by the force, a lorry driver is seen looking down and texting on his phone as he travels along the motorway. When he spots the police officers in the next lane he simply shrugs and puts his thumb up.
The Highways England HGV cabs are now being used as part of a multi-agency Week of Action on the M6, taking place from Monday 24 May to Sunday 30 May, which aims to reduce the number of incidents on the motorway and highlight the risks of dangerous driving.
Under the banner of Operation Vertebrae, the campaign takes place along the length of the M6, the longest motorway in the country. Highways England deals with around 180 reported incidents on the M6 every day. These include a large number of traffic collisions with 4,222 reported on the M6 in 2019.
Since the launch of Operation Tramline in 2015, more than 21,600 offences have been recorded. The most common offences have included:
- Using a mobile phone – 6,073
- Not wearing a seatbelt – 6,253
- Not in proper control of vehicle – 1,501
- Speeding – 1,199
In total, 19,564 vehicles were stopped in Operation Tramline between July 2015 and April 2021.
Highways England Head of Road Safety Jeremy Phillips said, “The Operation Tramline cabs are an important part of our commitment to tackling dangerous driving and those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and that of others on the road. The number of people found using their mobile phone while driving is quite alarming. You are four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone and, if caught, face a £200 fine and six points on your licence.”
(Picture and footage – Highways England)
