Over 100 law-breaking drivers in Warwickshire filmed by undercover police lorries

By Sophie Watson 8th Feb 2023

In just five days this winter, 102 offences were recorded and 75 vehicles were pulled over as undercover officers patrolled the M40 and M42 (image via SWNS)
In just five days this winter, 102 offences were recorded and 75 vehicles were pulled over as undercover officers patrolled the M40 and M42 (image via SWNS)

More than 100 reckless drivers were caught texting, scrolling through their phones, carrying drugs and not wearing seatbelts by an undercover police lorry patrol.

The law-breaking motorists were captured on film by Warwickshire Police as part of Operation Tramline, a national campaign using HGVs to catch dangerous drivers in the act.

In just five days this winter, 102 offences were recorded and 75 vehicles were pulled over as undercover officers patrolled the M40 and M42 in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

They included 29 drivers using their phones, 23 not wearing seatbelts, 16 speeding motorists as well as a car using false plates and loaded with cannabis.

In one shocking clip, officers caught a driver steering a large motorhome with his knees while he used both hands to type out a message on his phone.

As the police HGV passes him, the driver - who is not wearing a seatbelt - even appears to be putting his phone into charge.

An officer is heard telling his colleague: "Ok we've got a chap here, he's texting with both hands and he's got no seatbelt on."

Another sneaky lorry driver is caught balancing his phone on the steering wheel while he scrolls through the menu screen.

Officers also caught thieves who stole a Range Rover Velar two hours after it was taken off a driveway.

Another car which had false number plates was stopped and officers discovered a large quantity of cannabis inside.

Another stolen Ford Fiesta was also seized along with a 14 ton HGV which had cloned plates which was left at Warwick Services.

Sgt Shaun Bridle from the Warwickshire Police Roads Policing Unit said: "Warwickshire is at the heart of the country's motorway network and to see this level of offending and dangerous driving is extremely concerning.

"The vast majority of these offences were people making a conscious decision to drive in a dangerous manner that put themselves and other road users at risk.

"People need to realise that when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle they are driving a potentially deadly weapon and they need to take responsibility for their own behaviour and the safety of others."

National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator, Marie Biddulph, said: "It is disappointing that more than 100 offences were recorded in less than a week."

It is illegal to hold and use any hand held mobile phone device whilst driving or when stopped at traffic lights or queuing.

Drivers caught using their devices face a £200 fine and six points on their licence.

     

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