130 vehicles stopped during operation using HGV supercab

Police in Suffolk stopped 130 vehicles and detected the same number of offences, as part of a roads policing operation that took place last week.

Operation Tramline saw police provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways, which allowed officers to carry out patrols across the county’s strategic road network and use this elevated position to detect drivers of all types of vehicle who are committing offences.

The initiative took place between Tuesday 10 March and Friday 13 March and involved officers from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, and the Road Casualty Reduction Team, with enforcement taking place on the A14, A12 and A11.

The HGV tractor unit - which was driven by a police officer - provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, whilst also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars too. Supporting police officers are then on hand to pull-over any offenders.

A total of 130 vehicles were stopped, including 57 HGVs, 36 light goods vehicles, 34 cars and one taxi.  

130 offences were detected resulting in 128 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) being issued, with two other offences dealt with by way of one warning and one roadside deposit issued to a foreign driver.   

A summary of the 128 TORs issued is as follows:

50 for not wearing a seat belt

27 for using a mobile phone

17 for construction and use (roadworthiness offences)

15 for not being in proper control

12 for driving without due care and attention

Four for speeding

Three for an insecure load

One graduated fixed penalty notice was issued, with a fine of £100, and 12 referrals were made to the Traffic Commissioner.

Some of the highlighted offences detected were: an HGV driver caught scrolling through TikTok making no attempt to look where he was going; an HGV driver who had so much rubbish in his cab it was dangerous (as items could have fallen under the pedals); an HGV driver caught rolling a cigarette with two hands and so not in control of the steering wheel; and a van driver who had both hands off the wheel with a burger in one hand and sauce in the other, which he was putting into the burger.

PC Wayne Sturman, of the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: "Despite far too many drivers continuing to take unnecessary risks, one positive we can take away from this recent operation is that the number of offences detected has fallen by over 50% compared to five years ago. Last week we detected on average just over 30 offences each day, whereas five years ago we were detecting around 75 per day.

“However, despite this the majority of offences that were detected were very dangerous – 27 drivers using phones (including being on video calls), 50 not wearing seatbelts and 15 not being in proper control – recklessness such as this should not be trivialised and can cause collisions that result in death or serious injuries.  

“We are grateful to National Highways for providing us with the HGV tractor unit free of charge, which enables us to carry-out enforcement in respect of not only drivers who are in control of the biggest and therefore potentially most dangerous vehicles on the roads, but also gives us additional opportunities to detect offences being committed by all road users.

“Suffolk Police is committed to making Suffolk’s roads safer and we will continue to work hard on a daily basis and hold operations such as this to achieve that.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I fully support this proactive approach to crack down on irresponsible drivers using our strategic road network and it is pleasing to see the numbers of offences detected has dropped over recent years. The Commercial Vehicle team was set up through investment from the council tax precept so I hope Suffolk residents see their money is being directed into operational policing very effectively.

“It does appear that the message is finally getting through, but there are still too many drivers risking their own lives, and the lives of others, with their mindless behaviour. To think someone could be involved in a video call whilst driving absolutely beggars belief. I am just glad officers were able to identify this madness and deal with the drivers accordingly.

He added: “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.”

Lawrence Seager, Programme Development Manager at National Highways, said: “We want to encourage motorists to reflect on their driving and prioritise safety on our roads — and that means addressing dangerous driving behaviour. Our joint initiative with the police, Operation Tramline, is one of the ways we identify unsafe driving and promote safer habits behind the wheel, helping to make our roads safer for everyone.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. While the vast majority of drivers act responsibly, the findings in Suffolk show that some continue to take risks that put themselves and others in danger.”