More than 200 vehicles stopped and two arrests made during Suffolk Police operation with help of HGV tractor unit

More than 200 vehicles were stopped and two arrests were made with the help of a HGV tractor unit during a police operation.

Officers carried out patrols on the county’s roads between October 28 and November 1, using the elevated position from the HGV unit, provided by National Highways, to spot drivers committing offences.

A total of 250 offences were also detected during the operation, with enforcement focusing on the A14, A12 and A11.

The HGV tractor unit, which was driven by a police officer, helped to provide a vantage point as officers could look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, while also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars, too.

Supporting police officers were on hand to pull-over any offenders and two people were arrested on suspicion of drug-driving

Over the week-long operation, a total of 220 vehicles were stopped, including 81 HGVs and 51 smaller goods vehicles, and 201 traffic offence reports were issued.

The primary offences included 83 for not wearing a seat belt, 37 for using a mobile phone, 21 for an insecure load and 15 for driving without due care and attention.

Other offences included: 59 for construction and use (roadworthiness offences), eight for driver’s hours, six for contravening a red light, four for not being in proper control and two for no insurance.

The driver of one 44-tonne HGV was caught watching a pornographic video while driving.

Another person driving an HGV loaded with a fuel bowser was caught smoking in the cab.

A check of a vehicle carrying dangerous goods resulted in four prohibitions being issued and a prosecution file will be served on the company concerned.

Multiple graduated fixed penalty notices were issued, with total fines of £700, 14 people were given words of advice and two vehicles were seized for not having insurance.

Pc Wayne Sturman, of the commercial vehicle unit, said: "It never ceases to amaze me that we continue to detect such a high number of offences every time we run this operation.

“Although a high percentage of these are drivers putting themselves at risk by not wearing a seat belt, there were also a significant number of drivers not in proper control of their vehicle – including those using a mobile phone – or driving without due care and attention, all of which I think everyone would agree is of particular concern – especially if this relates to HGV drivers.

“There were also a high number of vehicles that were unroadworthy or with insecure loads, which are equally dangerous offences.

“The highlighted case of the man watching a video will shock people I’m sure, along with the sheer stupidity of smoking when you have a fuel bowser behind you.

Pc Sturman thanked National Highways for providing police with the HGV tractor unit free of charge.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Another set of impressive results from the constabulary, although I’m absolutely staggered by the mindless stupidity of two of the drivers risking their own lives and the lives of others, by watching a video and smoking in close proximity to a fuel tank – it absolutely beggars belief.

“I am just glad officers were able to identify this madness and deal with the drivers accordingly.

“I also find it very disappointing that drivers still need to be reminded about something so obvious as putting on a seat belt or not using a mobile phone – there really is no excuse for that at all.”

He added: “I fully support this pro-active approach to crack down on irresponsible drivers, the number of offences detected is really impressive. 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.

Marie Biddulph, National Highways’ assistant regional safety coordinator, said: “Through Operation Tramline and working closely with our police partners, we want to make people think about their driving behaviour and reduce the number of incidents out on our roads caused by unsafe driving.

“We know that distracted driving and not wearing seatbelts are often key factors in incidents that result in people being killed or seriously injured. Research shows you are four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone while driving and twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seatbelt.

“So a successful day for us is a day when none of these unsafe driving behaviours are spotted. But while we still have that minority of people who insist on putting themselves and others at risk we will continue to put out our Tramline HGVs and work to make our roads safer.”