Watch dangerous M5 drivers eat jars of food and text behind the wheel
Footage released by Gloucestershire Police[1] shows motorists carrying out a number of offences on the M5. A recent operation saw officers use an unmarked HGV lorry to catch out dangerous drivers on the motorway. Operation Tramline ran from Tuesday, October 1 until Friday, October 4 and targeted drivers between junctions 8 and junction 14 of the M5.
A texting van driver who swore at officers and an HGV driver eating a jar of food were just two of the motorists observed committing offences during the operation. Police used the elevated position of the HGV lorry cab, loaned by National Highways, to identify offenders. Drivers were stopped for offences which included use of a mobile phone, not being in proper control of a vehicle, failure to wear seatbelts and driving with an insecure load.
Officers who identified a driver committing an offence recorded video footage from the unmarked lorry cab before notifying officers in an accompanying car. These officers then intercepted the offending vehicle, pulling it over and dealing with the driver. Police officers on motorbikes were also patrolling the motorway looking for offences which may have been missed.
The operation was introduced to crack down on offenders and decrease the number of people killed or seriously injured on the motorway. The offences can potentially result in a fine of GBP100 for failing to wear a seatbelt, GBP200 and six penalty points for using a handheld mobile device and a GBP300 fine for driving a vehicle in contravention of a prohibition. Meanwhile, penalties for driving whilst disqualified can lead to a fine of up to GBP5,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment.
Police are clamping down on offences on the M5 (Image: Gloucestershire Police)
Sergeant Matt Firth from the Roads Policing Unit said: “The use of the HGV from National Highways enables our Roads Policing officers to detect some offences that would otherwise be a challenge to identify.
“Reducing the numbers of those killed or seriously injured on our roads is a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary, and making the roads safer for all is what our communities want our team to be leading on. We will continue to deal with offences positively, remembering that any of us or our loved ones could be impacted by such behaviours whilst using the roads.” National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Programme Manager Beverley Hannah, added: “Working closely with our police partners, National Highways is striving to stamp out inappropriate driving behaviours on our roads.
“While we always hope that when our HGVs go out no instances of unsafe driving will be seen, thanks to the elevated position in the cabs the officers have a clear view into all vehicles so those who do put themselves and others at risk can be spotted and stopped.
“We hope that knowing our HGVs are on the road will persuade motorists to consider their driving behaviour carefully, making the roads safer for everyone.”
References
- ^ Gloucestershire Police (www.gloucestershire.police.uk)