Motorway crime crackdown sparked by ‘handsfree’ motorists

They had a nasty shock when they realised they had been caught on camera by police officers patrolling in one of National Highways’ unmarked HGVs.

In new footage released today, a van driver is seen with no hands on the wheel, with each containing either a drink or his mobile phone.

A second clip shows a lorry driver with both of his hands in a tobacco pouch rolling a cigarette while driving, before looking over to see the camera rolling in the HGV next to him.

These are just two of more than 28,000 offences recorded by officers in Operation Tramline HGV cabs since the national safety initiative was launched in 2015.

The unmarked HGV cabs will be used during a week of action on the M6, named Operation Vertebrae, taking place from Monday to Sunday to reduce incidents on the motorway.

As part of the operation, National Highways and partners will be at Lymm Services on Friday to offer road safety advice and raise awareness of the week of action.

National Highways deals with almost 180 reported incidents on the M6 every day, including a large number of traffic collisions, with 3,484 reported on the highway in 2021.

More than 28,100 offences have been recorded through Operation Tramline since 2015, the most common of which are not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone and not being in proper control.

Jeremy Phillips, National Highways head of road safety, said: “Through this week of action, we want to make all of our roads safer by raising awareness and encouraging motorists to consider their driving behaviour.

“Working together with our road safety partners, we are spreading our safety messages and raising awareness that those who put themselves and others at risk can expect to be spotted.

“Operation Tramline enables our partners in enforcement agencies to identify that high-risk minority and take action to bring their behaviours in line with the safe and law-abiding majority.

“Thanks to the Tramline HGVs, we have been able to stop people who could have caused serious harm on the road.”

From their elevated viewpoint in the unmarked HGV cabs, police officers are able to spot people driving dangerously – whatever vehicle they may be in.

Consequences for drivers range from warnings to fixed penalty notices, court summons or arrest.

The Operation Tramlines unmarked HGV cab

In addition to the HGV cab patrols, partners taking part in the M6 week of action will be present at motorway services offering advice to drivers and carrying out vehicle checks.

Commander Kyle Gordon, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing operations, added: “We have collaborated with National Highways on the Operation Tramline roads safety initiative for many years.

“We all recognise that being distracted while driving increases the risk of a collision and the potential to leave families and communities devastated, particularly with the sheer size and weight of some of the larger vehicles on our roads.

“We really welcome the opportunity to identify any driver who would put themselves and others at risk by being distracted – it is totally unacceptable.”