Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed the vital work of the county’s Roads Policing Unit after joining an operation targeting dangerous and reckless driving on the M25.
Nearly 300 offences were identified by officers who used an unmarked HGV to patrol Surrey’s stretch of the motorway during a week of action known as Operation Tramline.
Higher viewpoint
The higher viewpoint from the HGV cab means officers can spot and record driving offences such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt more easily than they can form standard patrol vehicles.
When officers spot offences, they radio to colleagues using unmarked cars and motorbikes to pull the driver over onto the hard shoulder where they may be issued with a fine and penalty points, or a court summons, or potentially be arrested.
The PCC joined officers on one of the days of the operation and witnessed a number of offences being committed, including a van driver who was caught taking a photo on his phone with no hands on the steering wheel in the outside lane.
Five days of action
Across the five days of action, which included one in Sussex, police teams stopped 240 motorists, seized 11 vehicles and arrested 12 people including nine for drug driving.
A total of 155 drivers were fined and issued points on their licence for using their mobile phone at the wheel.
Op Tramline is run nationally with the aim to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Britain’s strategic road network. The HGV’s that are owned by National Highways are shared across the country helping to identify some of the most dangerous road offences.
“Dangerous roads”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The M25 in Surrey is one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in Europe and is used by thousands of motorists very single day.
“That is why driving offences like speeding, using a mobile and drink or drug driving can have the most devastating consequences.
“Whilst the vast majority of drivers are safe and follow the law, there are still a significant number of drivers putting themselves and other road users in danger with their reckless behaviour.
“It is disappointing that our officers have witnessed so many driving offences over the course of the week, but it shows why operations like this are so important in tackling that offending and helping keep Surreys’ roads safe.
“My message to those who continue to flout the rules of our road is simple – our policing teams are cracking down on reckless and dangerous driving. Whilst we can’t be everywhere, we could be anywhere.”