Police use ‘spy cabs’ in danger-driver crackdown

A MAJOR crackdown on motorists has been launched after figures revealed an average of five collisions are reported every day on the M62.

Regular commuters will know the frustration - and cost - of tailbacks all too well.

Now police and Highways England have joined forces with other agencies to launch a new operation aimed at improving safety and traffic flow.

It’s hoped to reduce incidents after a similar operation on the M1 led to a significant fall in the number of crashes.

Under Operation Pennine, ‘spy cabs’ will travel the motorway to film drivers on their mobile phones at the wheel or committing other offences.

Enforcement agencies will also carry out spot checks on vans and lorries to assess their road worthiness, loads, weights and drivers’ hours. The month of action started this week.

Highways England said there was an average of five collisions a day along the 107-mile route between Liverpool and Hull through Manchester, often leading to congestion and delays for drivers and affecting companies travelling to ports and making deliveries to towns and cities accessed by the motorway.

John Walford, incident prevention manager at Highways England, said: “Over 100,000 drivers travel over the Pennines every day, 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. Our month of action will see enforcement agencies carrying out checks along the M62 and at the ports to help improve safety for everyone.”

A similar crackdown on the M1 earlier this year ended with the number of collisions falling by almost a third.

Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial vehicles at the Freight Transport Association, said: “As the voice of the logistics industry, FTA supports Highways England’s innovative programme to improve road safety on the M62.

“Strict government enforcement of compliance and safety standards for both heavy and light vehicles - is vital to keep our roads running efficiently and effectively. Responsible vehicle operators will have nothing to fear.”

The so-called ‘spy cabs’ allow police officers to film evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by pulling up alongside vehicles.

Drivers are then pulled over by police cars following a short distance behind.