HGVs equipped with cameras used by trained police drivers began to be used by Police on the road network ten years ago in 2015.  Drivers are still being caught breaking the law.  

The three plain white HGV tractor units, supplied by National Highways and used regionally in the north of England, the south and Midlands, provide an advantage for the police that wouldn’t be available in normal roads policing vehicles.  

Examples of poor driving behaviour includes an HGV driver eating gherkins from a jar with a fork whilst with his elbows on the steering wheel and another steering with his knees whilst eating lunch and using a phone, and a driver with both hands off the steering wheel watching a video.

Each week the unmarked HGV, driven by trained officers with at least one spotter in the passenger seat, move locations with different forces having access to them.  Vehicle registration details are manually recorded then reported to support police vehicles so the driver can be stopped.  

Since the Operation Tramline began more than 46,150 offences have been recorded with the most common of not wearing a seat belt being 13,562 and using a mobile phone 11,965.

Recently used in Lincolnshire on the A1, 29 motorists were stopped for not wearing a seat belt, 24 for mobile phone use, 3 for driving whilst not in proper control. Two arrested on suspicion of drink driving, 14 stopped for construction and use related to condition of the vehicle, 2 for insecure load, 6 for drivers hours and 3 for driving without due care; whilst 3 vehicles seized for no insurance.

Recently police caught a driver typing on a tablet or laptop and another tucking into breakfast from a bowl on the steering wheel.

The message is simple: “Don't drive distracted. Put your mobile phone in the glove box, put your belt on, and concentrate on the road and your surroundings.”

Further information: 
https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/unmarked-hgvs-catch-thousands-of-drivers-breaking-the-law#