Highways England: Footage shows driver on phone narrowly avoid hitting police in HGV ‘supercab’
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More than 21,000 offences spotted thanks to Highways England HGV
cabs Week of action taking place on M6 to tackle dangerous drivers
See Notes to Editors for interview opportunities Veering on to the
hard shoulder and back again, narrowly avoiding a collision with
another HGV, the driver caught in this footage was using his mobile
phone at the wheel. But what he didn’t realise was the vehicle he
almost hit was a Highways England unmarked ‘supercab.’ –
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Veering on to the hard shoulder and back again, narrowly avoiding a collision with another HGV, the driver caught in this footage was using his mobile phone at the wheel. But what he didn’t realise was the vehicle he almost hit was a Highways England unmarked ‘supercab.’ – and there were two police officers inside. The recent footage, taken on the M40 by Warwickshire Police, captures one of over 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. While a car driver, oblivious to the police officers in the HGV cab alongside him, has a mobile phone in his right hand in this incident - until he hears the police siren sound behind and puts the phone down. 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:
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. “Through this week of action on the M6 we want to make all of our roads safer by raising awareness and encouraging motorists to consider their driving behaviour.” From their elevated viewpoint in the unmarked HGV cabs, police officers are able to spot people driving dangerously – whatever vehicle they may be in. Among the incidents witnessed during Operation Tramline was a driver steering a lorry with his knees while eating lunch on his lap and also using his phone in the East Midlands. While in West Mercia, officers saw a driver eating lasagne with a knife and fork while driving along a motorway. Surrey Police spotted a HGV driver boiling a kettle on the dashboard and another eating pickled gherkins from a jar with his elbows on the steering wheel. One driver was caught twice in one day – in the morning and afternoon - using their mobile phone while driving along the A38 in Derbyshire. Consequences for the drivers range from warnings to fixed penalty notices, court summons or even arrest. In addition to the supercab patrols, partners taking part in the M6 week of action will be present at motorway services offering advice to drivers such as what to do in a breakdown and ensuring load safety. Vehicle checks will also be carried out involving the DVSA, Health and Safety Executive and the Home Office. Six forces are taking part in Operation Vertebrae – Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Warwickshire Police and Central Motorway Police Group, as well as the North West Commercial Vehicle Unit.
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