‘Supercab’ catches 138 offences
AN unmarked police HGV “supercab” caught drivers committing a total of 138 offences during its latest five-day operation in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire police were given the use of Highways England’s unmarked HGV tractor unit to use throughout the year, with the aim of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Its first week of operation, between January 25 and 29, saw a total of 64 offences spotted on the roads of Derbyshire. This included 27 drivers who were seen to be on their mobile phones while behind the wheel of their car, 12 drivers not paying care or attention to the road and nine speeding offences.
Its latest operation, between, March 1 and 5, however, saw that fuguire more than double, with a total of 138 offences recorded across the county. Top violations included six drivers being found to have no licence, five without insurance, 11 using mobile phones behind the wheel and nine found not to be in proper control of their vehicles.
In addition, multiple vehicles were found being driven in a dangerous condition or with defects and at the police’s static service station checksites many commercial and heavy goods vehicles had insecure loads or were over the legal weight limit.
As a result seven were removed from the roads and eight prohibition notices, banning vehicles’ use beuase they were judged unroadworthy.
After the successful results from the initial launch of Operation Tramline in Derbyshire, police said they decided to carry out a further period of enforcement operation, aimed at improving driver behaviour and to reduce incidents on the roads by unsafe drivers, took place earlier this month.
Using unmarked HGVs can provide officers with an elevated view, which can help in identifying dangerous road users, that could be missed in standard patrol vehicles. Officers drive alongside vehicles in the tractor unit, recording any unsafe driving behaviour and alerting our Roads Policing Unit, who then pull over the offending drivers.
Inspector Greg Hunt, who leads the force’s roads policing unit, said: “It is always disappointing to see the number of individuals who continue to take to the roads, driving in a reckless manner, with no regard for their own safety or the safety of others.
“Some drivers have just got into bad habits, whilst others just simply ignore the law – which, as we’ve seen time and time again, can result in devastating consequences.
“We are proud to be working in collaboration with Highways England once more. By utilising the HGV for covert tactics, we get a unique opportunity to capture poor driver behaviour that can sometimes go unnoticed.
“Not only can this operation be used to help educate and prevent crime, but it can also save lives.
“Offences recorded in operations like these, demonstrate that our team are working relentlessly each day to protect Derbyshire’s road users and keep the local community from harm.
“We are really pleased with the results from Operation Tramline and I know my unit will continue to remove dangerous drivers from our roads and strive to keep the roads of Derbyshire safe.
Highways England Assistant regional safety co-ordinator Marie Biddulph said: “Safety is always our number one priority and through initiatives such as Operation Tramline, we are working closely with our police partners to try to prevent incidents happening on our roads.
“We want everyone who works for us and travels on our roads to get home safely, which is why it is so important that we reach that minority of drivers who flout the law - putting themselves and others at risk.
“Knowing that the Operation Tramline HGVs are patrolling our motorways and major A-roads, we hope that all motorists will consider their driving behaviour and help to make sure all road users get home safe and sound.”
Some drivers have just got into bad habits, whilst others just simply ignore the law.
Inspector Greg Hunt