Drivers warned as police mount fresh crackdown on dangerous driving

Footage of dangerous driving captured by police officers in unmarked truck cabs has been released by National Highways ahead of a week of action along the length of the M1.

Officers from eight different police forces will be patrolling the motorway between London and Leeds from Monday (March 6) to Sunday 12 March looking out for incidents of illegal driving.

Police officers overtaking this heavily-laden car transporter were shocked to discover the driver was using just one elbow to control the huge vehicle as he travelled along a busy motorway.

The driver was seemingly oblivious to the police officers as they drove alongside him on the M40 in one of National Highways’ unmarked HGV cabs.

But he quickly put both hands firmly on the wheel when they caught his attention – and notified their colleagues travelling behind to pull the vehicle over.

This driver was spotted at the wheel of a horsebox texting on his mobile phone – and without his seatbelt on.

While this car driver was also caught on camera holding up her mobile phone in her right hand as she drove along the motorway – and the moment she was pulled over by Warwickshire Police officers.

From the elevated position in the HGV cab, officers can spot unsafe driving behaviour – whatever vehicle the motorist may be in.

More than 33,254 offences have been recorded since the ‘Operation Tramline’ unmarked HGV cabs safety initiative was launched by National Highways in 2015. And some 30,380 vehicles have been stopped by police.

The most common offences are not wearing a seatbelt (9,962) and using a mobile phone (8,368) followed by 2,257 who were not in proper control of their vehicle.

Consequences for drivers range from warnings to fixed penalty notices, court summons or arrest.

The aim of the multi-agency week of action on the M1 – which has been labelled Operation Freeway – is to reduce the number of incidents on the motorway.

In 2022 there were 73,593 incidents on the M1 – that is over 200 incidents every single day. There were 4,087 traffic collisions on the motorway last year.

Police forces taking part in Operation Freeway are:

West Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
Nottinghamshire
Derbyshire
Northamptonshire
Hertfordshire
Thames Valley
Bedfordshire
Leicestershire Road Safety Partnership

In addition to the HGV cab patrols, partners taking part in the week of action and National Highways traffic officers will be present at motorway services offering advice to drivers and carrying out vehicle checks.