Ten years ago, National Highways’ first unmarked HGV cab went out on patrol with the police in an innovative trial to find new ways to deter unsafe driving – Operation Tramline was born.
Since that day, more than 51,500 offences have been recorded by officers from 35 different police forces patrolling across the country in an Operation Tramline cab.
To mark the safety campaign’s 10th anniversary, National Highways has released 10 shocking incidents captured by officers using the cabs.
Some 13,000 hours have been racked up by police since officers from the Surrey force took out the first HGV in 2015. There are now three unmarked HGVs available to police partners who can take advantage of the elevated position to see into cars and vans or across into lorries.
Some of the offences witnessed in Operation Tramline have included:
- People eating takeaways, a driver scoffing a bowl of cereal at the wheel in North Yorkshire and someone tucking into lasagne with a knife and fork while driving
- A woman driver applying her makeup while travelling along the M40 in the Midlands
- A driver steering a vehicle transporter with just his elbows along the M40 in Warwickshire.
- Drivers using two mobile phones at a time and one that was placing an online order with a phone in one hand and holding their credit card in the other.
- A driver playing with a Rubik’s Cube while manoeuvring through M25 traffic
- Hampshire Police once saw three HGV drivers from the same company using their phones while driving during a week of activity.
- And a driver in Surrey defended their use of a mobile phone while driving saying that they had a new girlfriend and that their song came on the radio, so they needed to call them.
Meanwhile new footage released today reveals three drivers spotted without their hands on the wheel and using their mobile phones when Surrey Police patrolled in the National Highways HGV cab last month, 10 years after their first outing.
National Highways Director of Road Safety, Sheena Hague, said:
“We know that driver distraction, such as using a mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt are key factors in collisions which result in people being seriously injured or killed on our roads.
“Our goal through Operation Tramline has always been to remind motorists to think carefully about their driving behaviours behind the wheel. The choices people make can have such a devastating and far reaching impact on people’s lives.
“It is disappointing that there are still a minority of people who continue to put themselves and others at risk and we will continue working with the police through Operation Tramline and other campaigns to deter unsafe driving.”
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood added:
“Dangerous driving puts everyone on our roads in danger, and Operation Tramline plays a vital role in tackling this issue.
“While our roads are among the safest in the world, we are committed to improving road safety, and our recent Click! THINK! Campaign, which specifically targets young men, reminds drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts at all times.”
(Pic: National Highways)
