Gloucestershire Police conducted an undercover operation to curb unsafe driving behaviours on the M5.
- An Evri lorry driver caught eating yoghurt with a spoon while driving was one of the offenders.
- The operation involved a special unmarked HGV lorry, catching motorists unaware.
- Offences ranged from using mobile phones to not wearing seatbelts and insecure loads.
- Traffic Offence Reports and summonses were issued to handle violations.
In a concerted effort to tackle unsafe driving practices, Gloucestershire Police have recently executed an undercover operation on the M5. The operation, part of the ongoing ‘Operation Tramline,’ saw an unmarked HGV lorry being utilised to monitor drivers over a stretch of motorway between junctions 8 and 14.
During the operation, one notable incident involved a driver of an Evri lorry who was seen eating yoghurt with a spoon whilst driving. This incident was promptly captured by officers who observed the driver’s lack of control over the vehicle, exclaiming, ‘He is still going – no hands on the wheel!’ Such behaviours were precisely the kind that the operation aimed to detect and address.
The initiative was not limited to this single incident. Officers, armed with video equipment from the elevated position of the lorry cab, identified a myriad of offences. These included the use of handheld mobile phones, failure to wear seatbelts, and driving with an unsecured load. Each of these actions poses significant risks to road safety, with repercussions potentially resulting in financial penalties or more severe legal consequences through Traffic Offence Reports or summons.
Following identification, police cars and motorbike units were engaged to intercept and pull over offending vehicles. This strategic deployment allowed for immediate action against violations, with several drivers fined and receiving penalty points on their licenses.
Sergeant Matt Firth from the Roads Policing Unit highlighted the importance of such operations in enhancing road safety. He affirmed that the use of the HGV from National Highways greatly assists in identifying offences that are otherwise challenging to spot. The ultimate goal, he emphasized, is to reduce road casualties and make the roads a safer environment for everyone.
National Highways, collaborating closely with police forces, has facilitated these operations with the use of their unmarked HGV cabs. Beverley Hannah from the organisation stated their objective is to eliminate inappropriate driving behaviours. By employing such methods, there is hope that awareness among motorists will increase, prompting more responsible driving practices.
Operation Tramline underscores the ongoing commitment to improving road safety by rigorously addressing dangerous driving behaviours.
