Warwickshire Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit detected 242 offences after stopping 199 vehicles in a five day Operation on the M40, M42, M6 and A46

Warwickshire Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit detected 242 offences after stopping 199 vehicles during their latest five day Operation Tramline between 8-12 March on the M40, M42, M6 and A46 in Warwickshire.

During the Operation, the Commercial Vehicle Unit supported by the Operations Patrol Unit and Special Constabulary used a specially adapted Highways England owned HGV supercab from which they were able to observe vehicles and driver behaviours in all vehicles. 

Sergeant Carl Stafford said “One hundred and forty-three of the 199 vehicles stopped were commercial vehicles and most offences were committed by commercial drivers who are driving for work.  This is too many and demonstrates that more education and enforcement activity is needed by police and partners.

“We are continuing to see issues with commercial vehicles not having a movement order and displaying incorrect signage when they are transporting abnormal loads.

“The weight of vehicles is also an issue with the smaller 3.5 ton vehicles.  The worst offender was 55% overweight and was prohibited from moving until the weight of the vehicle was reduced to the legal limit.

“Fortunately there are many responsible hauliers and commercial vehicle drivers who passed our stringent safety checks with flying colours and we were able to formally thank them with a joint Warwickshire Police, Highways England and Road Haulage Association ‘certificate’ and thank you mug as a small token of our appreciation for helping to make our roads safer. “ 

Highways England Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator, Marie Biddulph, said “The Highways England HGVs offer our police partners an elevated position so they can monitor the driving behaviour of those in every kind of vehicle.

“Safety is always our priority and through initiatives such as Operation Tramline we want to prevent incidents happening on our roads by reaching that minority of drivers who flout the law, putting themselves and others at risk. 

“Knowing that these HGVs are patrolling our motorways and major A-roads, we hope that all motorists, including professional drivers, will consider their driving behaviour and the safety of their vehicles to help make sure all road users get home safe and sound.” 

During the operation, a total of 203 Traffic Offence Reports were issued to drivers as well as 15 Graduated Fixed Penalty Notices amounting to £2,600.

Twenty-three commercial drivers were referred to the Traffic Commissioner due to the seriousness of the offence committed.

Forty-nine drivers received Traffic Offence Reports for using a mobile phone whilst driving at speed on the motorway or dual carriageway.

Ten drivers received TORs for not being in proper control of their vehicle

Sixty-four drivers received TORs for not wearing a seatbelt

Fourteen drivers were stopped for speeding

Ten drivers were driving without insurance and their vehicles were seized by officers.

Six drivers had stopped on the hard shoulder without good reason

Two drivers were observed driving in the outside lane of the motorway when their vehicle is prohibited from doing so

Twenty-six drivers were stopped due to the condition of their vehicle such as tyres or the use of the vehicle making it unsafe

One commercial driver had committed tachograph offences

Ten drivers were stopped as they were not taking due care and attention

Thirty one drivers were stopped due to an insecure load

It’s not all about enforcement however and officers would prefer to educate drivers to improve their safety on the roads and 24 drivers received words of advice from officers.

Warwickshire Police also recently supported the NPCC national Commercial Vehicle Week of Action 15-21 March when the vast majority of the 66 driver offences detected on the M40 and M6 were from commercial vehicles with only four car drivers being brought in to the check site. 

Working in collaboration with Highways England and other partners, the Commercial Vehicle Unit will continue to patrol our motorways and dual carriageways to help improve road safety for everyone who lives in Warwickshire or who travels through the county. 

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