All the major Midlands roads where police ‘spy’ lorry has been deployed in May

The HGV caught more than 100 drivers breaking the law in a six day period, with the highest offences and worst offending vehicles revealed

07:30, 25 May 2026

Police have deployed a 'spy' lorry on the Midlands road network(Image: Staffs Police)

The motorways and A roads where a police spy lorry has been used to catch drivers in parts of the West Midlands this month has been revealed.

Staffordshire Police[1] said it deployed its HGV on the A38, A5, A34, A50, A449, M6 and M54 during a six day period - stopping 102 drivers in total.

The force revealed the most common offences picked up were: not wearing a seatbelt (27), using a mobile phone at the wheel (18) and driving[2] without due care and attention (11).

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The lorry was rolled out from Monday, May 4, to Saturday, May 9, as part of Operation Tramline.

Staffordshire Police[5] said one person was arrested, five vehicles were seized, 72 traffic offence reports were issued, 23 drivers were handed advice and four prohibition notices were handed out.

Police have deployed a 'spy' lorry on the Midlands road network(Image: Staffs Police)

Among the culprits included a HGV driver caught watching a film on his phone.

He was given penalty points on his license, a fine and a referral to the traffic commissioner.

Another HGV driver[6] seen rolling a cigarette behind the wheel and was also referred to the traffic commissioner.

Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of cannabis.

He has since been issued with a community resolution and a prohibition notice.

Elsewhere, one vehicle[7], which had been seized for no insurance, was later revealed to have been stolen.

Reasons why spy lorry pulled over drivers:

• 27 not wearing a seatbelt
• 18 using a mobile phone at the wheel
• 11 driving without due care and attention
• Seven not in proper control of the vehicle
• Seven using the outside lane when prohibited
• Five not having insurance
• Three driving with insecure loads
• A number of other offences, including: speeding, drink/drug driving and other suspected crimes.

Police have deployed a 'spy' lorry on the Midlands road network(Image: Staffs Police)

PC Dan Sambrook said: "Thanks to our partners at National Highways, we were able to use their HGV cab to capture excellent footage of drivers committing offences behind the wheel and then proactively stop them to prevent any harm to other road users.

"The footage captured shows the blatant disregard some drivers have for other people's safety and I hope this reassures the public that we are doing all we can to get them off our roads and keep Staffordshire[8] safe."

National Highways' regional safety programme manager, Marie Biddulph, said: "We all need to play our part in keeping our roads as safe as they can be so we are trying to encourage motorists to consider their driving and prioritise safety on our roads.

"To do that, we are working with partners like Staffordshire Police to address unsafe driving behaviour, helping to make our roads safer for everyone.

"Operation Tramline is one of the ways we target that minority of drivers who continue to put themselves and others at risk."

References

1. ^ Staffordshire Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ driving (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Motorcyclist rushed to hospital after Cannock collision (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ Staffordshire Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^ HGV driver (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
7. ^ vehicle (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
8. ^ Staffordshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)