Over 300 offences detected during operation targeting HGVs

Police in Suffolk stopped over 270 vehicles and detected more than 330 offences, after targeting drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) as part of a week-long operation supported by National Highways. Operation Tramline saw police provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways (formerly Highways England), which allowed officers to carry out patrols across the county’s strategic road network and focus on offences committed by lorry drivers. The initiative took place between Monday 21 February and Friday 25 February and involved officers from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, with enforcement taking place on the A14, A11 and A12. The HGV tractor unit - which was driven by a police officer - provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, whilst also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars too. Supporting police officers are then on hand to pull-over any offenders. A total of 271 vehicles were stopped, including 123 HGVs and 86 smaller goods vehicles.
339 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), some having committed more than one offence.
255 TORs were issued, with the primary offences highlighted below:
125 for not wearing a seatbelt
62 for construction and use (roadworthiness offences)
60 for using a mobile phone
25 for an insecure load
16 for driver’s hours
9 for not being in proper control of the vehicle
8 for driving without due care and attention
7 for excess speed
5 for no insurance
Sergeant Scott Lee-Amies, of the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: "Whilst this proved to be yet another successful week of action, it is very disappointing to find so many drivers taking such unnecessary risks. 46% of the drivers stopped were not wearing a seatbelt and 22% were using a mobile phone and when you consider that the majority of these offenders were professional drivers – that is people who drive for a living – those statistics are quite staggering. We are once again very grateful for the support of National Highways in providing us with the HGV tractor unit free of charge, which enables us to carry-out enforcement in respect of this group of road users, who are in control of the biggest and therefore potentially most dangerous vehicles on the roads. We will continue to do all we can to provide enforcement and education around the ‘fatal four’ main causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, which are drink/drug driving; speeding; using a mobile phone; and lastly, not wearing a seatbelt - which once again has featured heavily in one of these operations.” Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I spent some time with the roads policing unit in an HGV cab on a previous campaign and was amazed at what you see when you’re at eye level with another HGV – it really does give officers an excellent view and an opportunity to see offences they might otherwise miss. I can’t believe that drivers, particularly professional drivers, can risk their lives, their livelihood and the lives of others, looking at their phones and not wearing seatbelts, and to take to the road without insurance is inconceivable. It’s very disappointing that drivers still need to be reminded about something as obvious as putting on a seat belt. Everyone knows you are more likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seat belt, so I just can’t understand why anyone would flout this law – for 125 so-called professional drivers to be caught without a seatbelt is absolutely unforgiveable.” He added, “I fully support this pro-active approach to crack down on irresponsible drivers and I’d like to thank National Highways for their support, it is greatly appreciated.” Chris Smith, National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Coordinator in the East of England, said: “We know the majority of people drive safely and sensibly but unfortunately a minority of motorists flout the law and put themselves and others at risk. Working closely with our police partners and through the use of the supercabs we want to encourage all drivers – whatever vehicle they are in - to think twice about their behaviour behind the wheel and make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.”