Surrey’s Police Take to the High Road to Catch Offending Drivers

Published on: 9 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 10 Dec, 2019

The “supercab” alongside other police units used in the operation.

For three days in November, Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit (RPU) borrowed an HGV “super-cab”, shared by several other forces, to stage Operation Tramline that targeted rogue truckers. They stopped 23 vehicles and issued tickets for 28 offences on Surrey roads, including the M25.

This was the first time Surrey has used an HGV “supercab” since 2018. One officer drives, another in the passenger seat spots for dangerous or distracted driving, recording evidential footage to nail offenders.

A view from the “supercab”. Ahead a driver has been stopped on the hard shoulder.

The observer relays information to a police vehicle behind, which overtakes and intercepts the suspected driver to make them pull over. The obvious objective is to identify and prevent offences as part of the operation to reduce collisions and improve road safety, journey times, and the reliability of motorways and major roads.

The height of the HGV’s viewing platform means they can detect driving offences difficult to spot from a standard patrol vehicle.

Of the 28 offences identified, most involved using a mobile phone (eight) and failing to wear a seat-belt (eight), followed by not being in proper control of a vehicle (five).

Officers were specifically on the lookout for the fatal four: impaired driving through drink or drugs, using a handheld mobile, speeding, and not wearing a seat-belt.

One speeding motorist who was stopped was arrested after he was found to be wanted by the courts for breaching a community order. One HGV driver was caught eating pickled gherkins from a jar with a fork, controlling the steering with their elbows.

Nine of the vehicles stopped were private ones, eight were LGVs, and six were HGVs. Twelve traffic offence reports were issued, seven instances of words of advice, three warning letters, two graduated fixed penalty notices, and a summons.

Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, who oversees roads policing in Surrey and Sussex, said: “I’m pleased the latest figures show fewer offences detected than during our previous usage of the HGV “supercab”. This is a sign that some motorists are taking road safety more seriously.

“But 28 offences detected remains a concern, because this can lead to serious or even fatal collisions on our roads. Operation Tramline is a timely reminder ahead of our annual crackdown on drink- and drug-driving in December.

“Using the HGV helps us to spot many more distraction driving offences. Operation Tramline is also an effective way for us to target the fatal four.

“Legislation for wearing a seat-belt was first introduced in 1983 and strengthened in 1991, but more than 30 years later some drivers are still choosing to ignore it and are not recognising the safety benefits to themselves and others.

“Government data shows that in 2017 27% of fatalities on the UK’s roads related to someone not wearing a seat-belt.

“Ultimately this operation is a reminder to offending drivers that the absence of a marked police vehicle doesn’t mean they won’t get caught. We want to make our road network as efficient and safe as possible and we’ll prosecute if we catch someone committing an offence”.

Police intend to continue Operation Tramline on Surrey roads.