Watch reckless M5 drivers eat jars of food and text behind the wheel
Police have released footage showing motorists committing a range of offences on the M5[1]. A recent operation saw officers utilise an unmarked HGV lorry to identify dangerous drivers on the motorway. Operation Tramline, which ran from Tuesday, October 1 until Friday, October 4, targeted drivers between junctions 8 and 14 of the M5.
Among the offenders observed during the operation were a van driver texting and swearing at officers, and a HGV driver eating from a jar of food. The police used the elevated position of the HGV lorry cab, loaned by National Highways, to spot offenders. Drivers were pulled over for offences including mobile phone use, not being in proper control of a vehicle, failure to wear seatbelts, and driving with an insecure load.
Officers who spotted a driver committing an offence recorded video footage from the unmarked lorry cab before alerting officers in an accompanying car. These officers then intercepted the offending vehicle, pulling it over and dealing with the driver. Police officers on motorbikes also patrolled the motorway looking for offences that may have been missed.
The operation was launched to crack down on offenders and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the motorway. Drivers committing offences could face fines of GBP100 for not wearing a seatbelt, GBP200 and six points on their licence for handheld mobile phone use, and GBP300 for driving against prohibition. Additionally, driving whilst disqualified could result in up to GBP5,000 in fines and six months in prison.
Police are clamping down on offences on the M5 (Image: Gloucestershire Police)
Sergeant Matt Firth from the Roads Policing Unit commented: “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.”
He also emphasized Gloucestershire Constabulary’s commitment to road safety, stating, “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.”
Police are clamping down on offences on the M5 (Image: Gloucestershire Police)