West Midlands Police have released footage of the worst driving offences captured during a week-long covert operation using an unmarked lorry. More than 150 dangerous drivers were intercepted, with offences ranging from using mobile phones while driving to driving without hands on the steering wheel.
Operation Tramline Results
Officers in unmarked and marked police vehicles stopped over 150 vehicles during the operation. Offences included not being in proper control of a vehicle, using a phone while driving, driving without a seatbelt, no insurance, and insecure loads.
Serious cases included a driver reversing up a motorway slip road, a trailer carrying loose dumbbell weights that were not securely tied down, and a driver taking both hands off the wheel to sift through paperwork. A tractor was also stopped after being improperly transported and held down by just two 2kg straps, with its wheels not even touching the trailer bed.
How the Operation Worked
Force traffic officers spotted offences from inside the cab of an unmarked HGV, provided by National Highways England. The initiative, known as Operation Tramline, is a national effort to tackle dangerous driving on major roads.
Sergeant Sarah Phillips, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Operation Tramline is a national initiative that helps us tackle some of the most dangerous offences on our road network. While people may comment that we should be focusing on other crimes, it is important that we prevent serious harm on our roads. We are lucky that we intercepted these offences as they could have all proven to be fatal in the event of a collision.”
West Midlands Police remain committed to tackling road traffic offences and keeping roads safe for the communities they serve. They work tirelessly with partner agencies to protect the public from death or serious injury on the roads.
