Operation Tramline supports Vision Zero ambition as SERP uses ‘supercab’
Safer Essex Roads Partnership has deployed a ‘supercab’ to identify unsafe and distracting driver behaviour on major routes across the county.
The supercab was provided by Highways England between April 25 and April 29, ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The cab is used as part of a national project which aims to reduce collisions and incidents, and improve safety, journey time and reliability on major roads.
Essex Police roads policing officers focused on major roads such as the M11, M25, A12 and A13 and stopped NUMBER vehicles during the operation.
The height of the supercab allowed an officer to look into vehicles to observe distracting behaviours such as mobile phone use. Once a behaviour or cause for concern was spotted, the message was relayed to police cars and motorbikes which were ready to pull over the vehicle and engage with the driver.
Police Sergeant Jason Dearsley, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit andon behalf of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: “This week has been busy for us as the team has disappointingly stopped and dealt with over 200 offenders, for a wide variety of offences.
“With the change in legislation around mobile phone usage in vehicles we have noticed an increase in mobile phone offences. Seatbelt offences were also high with 67 drivers seen not wearing theirs. We reminded these drivers of the injuries sustained from being ejected out of a lorry – they are often horrific and lifelong.
“One particularly noteworthy offence was spotted – a lorry driver, driving with his foot on the dashboard. He was reported for not being in proper control of a vehicle. Humans make mistakes but there are easy measures we can take to protect ourselves and support the ambition of Vision Zero.
“The aspiration of zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040 is ambitious, but we all believe it is achievable and operations such as this remind road-users that we all have a part to play.”
Other offences detected during the operation were: 19 for careless driving, 45 mobile phones, 7 with no insurance, 12 with no MOT, 5 going through a red light, 4 insecure loads and 19 vehicles were seized.
05 May 2022