Operation Tramline

From 8 to 10 January 2018 Warwickshire Police officers were engaged on Operation Tramline which utilises an HGV to identify driving offences, particularly focusing on mobile phones.

Officers using unmarked roads policing vehicles spoke with any offending motorists who were dealt with accordingly. All of the regions motorways were patrolled which include the M6, M40, M42 and M69.

During the operation the following offences were identified;

12 use of mobile phones.

7 excess speed.

2 not in proper control.

2 vehicles overweight.

1 no insurance.

1 no MOT.

1 tyre offence.

1 lighting offence.

1 using a trailer in lane 3 offence.

6 motorists were given advice regarding minor motoring infringements.

2 vehicles prohibited from driving due to serious faults.

Roads Policing Sergeant Jem Mountford stated, "The extra height of the lorry cab gives us an excellent opportunity to identify offences we would normally not be able to see. Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are committed to making our roads as safe as possible and we will continue to use the lorry periodically as one of the enforcement tools at our disposal. I would urge motorists to consider the possible implications of using their phones while driving which is well established as one of the 'Fatal 4'.

"We are mid-way through the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) mobile phone week of action targeting motorists who continue to use their handheld mobile phone at the wheel.

"Mobile phone enforcement is part of our daily operational activity and we ask motorists not to be distracted simply for the sake of making a call, reading a message or checking social media."