Officers detected a total of 107 offences during the latest Operation Tramline on the M40 and M42 in Warwickshire between 6 and 9 November 2023.

During the operation, officers used a National Highways owned supercab to patrol the motorways to observe driver behaviours in all vehicles. The elevated position provided by the HGV, helped officers identify and deal with 107 offences including a total of 80 drivers committing one of the four biggest dangers whilst driving, called the ‘Fatal 4’ for that very reason. 

Twenty-seven drivers were detected using a handheld mobile phone while driving at speeds of up to 70mph.  This included the driver of a tanker who was observed watching moving footage on his screen.  Unfortunately for him this was captured by officers on video and due to the increased responsibility that driving a tanker brings, he has been referred to the West Midlands Traffic Commissioner. 

Thirty-one drivers (or their passengers) were not wearing seatbelts despite this being such a simple and easy thing to do that could potentially save your life in a collision.

Twenty-one drivers were caught speeding including one driver at 97mph on the M40. 

A 57 year old man from Henley-in-Arden was arrested on suspicion of drink driving just after 9am on 6 November between junctions 3 and 2 of the M42 and was later charged to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 15 December 2023.

Officers also dealt with 7 drivers for not being in proper control of their vehicle, 2 for driving without due care and attention, 4 for driving with no insurance and 4 vehicles were seized.

The vehicles were also scrutinised and 2 drivers received Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) for construction and use and 3 drivers received TORs for insecure loads. 

Once a suspected offence was identified, the vehicle was intercepted by officers and stopped or brought into a check site. 

Out of a total of 95 drivers (35 HGV, 10 LGV and 50 car drivers) who were dealt with by officers, 42 were issued with Traffic Offence Reports and 1 driver received a Graduated Fixed Penalty.  The remaining 50 received words of advice. 

Speaking after the operation Sergeant Scott Good said “During the operation it was encouraging to see so many drivers, particularly the HGV drivers, using our motorways safely, driving at the speed limit, wearing seatbelts and not using a handheld phones. These are big vehicles that can cause significant harm to other road users if they are involved in a collision.

“We were also pleased to see so many responsible drivers keeping their full attention on the road at all times.

“Our officers would much rather spend their time educating drivers to help change their behaviour in operations like these, than being called to a collision when it is too late. If you are driving in Warwickshire, please look out for our OPU Officers who will be out again very soon on the roads and motorways near you.”

National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Coordinator, Marie Biddulph, said:

“We know that the majority of drivers who use our roads do so responsibly and safely. But our ultimate goal is have nobody killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“That is why we provide the Operation Tramline cabs to our police partners to encourage all motorists to carefully consider their driving behaviour and make sure they are driving safely and legally.

“If they continue to put themselves and others at risk there is a very real possibility that they will be spotted by police officers in our unmarked vehicles.”

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