National Highways has again teamed up with Police forces across
the South East in a fresh bid to improve safety on one of the
most important routes in the region.
The new crackdown, which began today (Monday 15 November 2021),
is called Operation Orbital. Police forces will use National
Highway’s unmarked HGV supercabs to patrol the M25 and record
drivers of all types of vehicles committing mobile phone,
seatbelt, and other safety offences.
The operation will also see enforcement agencies carry out checks
on vans and lorries for road worthiness, secure loads, weight,
and drivers’ hours to reduce the risk of incidents along the
route.
Colin Evans, regional road safety coordinator for National
Highways in the South East, said:
Over 7,500 vehicles travel round the M25 every hour, ranging from
commuters getting to work to haulage firms delivering goods along
the route or overseas.
The vast majority of drivers obey the law but a few are risking
potentially devastating consequences by not carrying out
appropriate checks before setting off or by driving dangerously.
The two weeks of action will see enforcement agencies carrying
out checks along the M25 to help improve safety for everyone.
The HGV supercabs, which are funded by National Highways, allow
police officers to film evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by
pulling up alongside vehicles, and drivers are then pulled over
by police cars following a short distance behind.
The cabs have derestricted speed limiters, which means they can
travel at speeds up to the national speed limit, and have
flashing lights for use in an emergency.
But what he didn’t realise was the vehicle travelling alongside
was an unmarked National Highways ‘Supercab’ – and there were two
police officers inside.
The footage, taken along the M4, captures one of over 21,000
offences recorded by officers in the Operation Tramline HGV cabs
since the national safety initiative was launched by National
Highways, formerly Highways England.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief
Constable Jo Shiner said:
Operation Orbital is a successful collaboration between the
police and National Highways. We remain committed to tackling
those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and the
safety of others on our roads by allowing themselves to be
distracted while driving.
The consequences of these actions are often devastating. We will
continue to work alongside National Highways on Operation Orbital
and will take action against drivers who ignore the risks.
Operation Orbital is being co-ordinated by National Highways and
involves DVSA plus police forces from the Metropolitan Police,
City of London Police, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey and
Thames Valley Police. At Thurrock Moto Services on Monday,15th
November, the Police will also be joining forces with the DVSA,
and National Highways to launch the fortnight (14 days) long
Operation Orbital round the M25.
DVSA’s Director of Enforcement, Marian Kitson, said:
DVSA’s priority is to protect people from unsafe drivers and
vehicles This action, alongside our partners, is to stop people
cutting corners on road safety. Every driver or operator has a
responsibility to check their vehicle is in a roadworthy
condition before beginning a journey.
DVSA is here to support those operators and drivers who do comply
and are safe on our roads. We want to ensure they are not
disadvantaged by dangerous and reckless road use.
We endeavour to support drivers and operators to remain safe,
which is why we have produced guidance accessible on GOV.UK to
empower commercial road users to make the M25 safe for everybody.
HGV Op Tramline - 2020/21
Area Essex Hampshire &Thames Valley Kent Surrey & Sussex
Metroplitan Police Total vehicles stopped 177 206 48 481 256
Using mobile phone 49 95 23 170 169 Not in proper control 23 66
11 204 59 Not wearing seatbelt 105 45 14 107 28
National HGV Op Tramline figures – 2015/20
Drivers stopped Offences Interventions Traffic offence report
Mobile phone Speeding Seat belts Not in proper control 22,679
24,747 25,109 16,767 6,595 1,346 7,343 1,777
