Over 250 drivers have been caught breaking the law in a unique operation by police.
Cumbria Constabulary used a HGV to target drivers on the county’s roads and officers have dealt with a total of 285 offences over five days.
The operations were run with National Highways and saw the constabulary use the unmarked HGV to help officers spot driving offences from an elevated position.
The officers used the vehicle to pull up alongside other vehicles and gather video footage of offences being committed.
Supporting patrols were also used to stop motorists who had been caught committing offences by officers using the HGV.
During the five-day operation earlier this month, officers recorded 285 offences. These included:
- 122 speeding offences
- 77 mobile phone offences
- 26 immediate mechanical prohibitions
- 26 driver hour offences
- Two arrests for possession with intent to supply drugs
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without tax
- A vehicle driving in lane three when prohibited from doing so
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Possession with intent to supply drugs
- Driving without due care and attention
In April, a similar operation resulted in 31 offences being recorded.
Sergeant Jack Stabler, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “The majority of offences recorded were people consciously taking the decision to not be in proper control of their vehicle – often through using their mobile phone whilst driving.
“There is no excuse for allowing yourself to become distracted whilst driving. Such actions put all road users at risk and could have fatal consequences.
“The operation held earlier this month was supported by a number of partner agencies, including the DVSA. This supported our efforts in identifying more offences which we hope will lead to changes in behaviour, which in turn will keep people safe on Cumbria’s road network.”
The constabulary said it will continue to run further operations in the future.
Cumbria Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Blackwell said: “This is an incredibly effective operation which identifies drivers who are behaving in an irresponsible manner and putting lives at risk.
“Our officers work every day to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads and this latest tool will be a significant help for ourselves and other police forces in targeting those who are a danger to themselves and others.
“Our aim is to prevent death and serious injury on our county’s roads. Too many people lose loved ones in road traffic collisions and we want to reduce such incidents from happening in Cumbria.
“Our officers will continue to be proactive with operations to target the causes of collisions and hold those who commit driving offences responsible for their actions.
“I’d like to thank our colleagues at National Highways once again for their work on the Op Tramline project, which is saving lives and improving road safety for us all.”
It is illegal to hold and use any hand-held mobile phone device whilst driving. The law still applies if drivers are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or supervising a learner driver. Failure to comply can land drivers with a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
This means drivers should not use a device in your hand for any reason. This includes:
- Illuminating the screen
- Checking the time
- Checking notifications
- Unlocking the device
- Making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or internet based call
- Sending, receiving or uploading oral or written content
- Sending, receiving or uploading a photo or video
- Utilising camera, video, or sound recording functionality
- Drafting any text
- Accessing any stored data such as documents, books, audio files, photos, videos, films, playlists, notes or messages
- Accessing an application (such as sat nav or music)
- Accessing the internet
