Police in Suffolk stopped 140 vehicles and detected 155 offences as part of a week-long operation primarily focused on heavy goods vehicles but also detecting any offences committed by all motorists. 

Operation Tramline saw police provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways, which allowed officers to carry out patrols across the county's strategic road network, including the A14 near to the Shotley peninsula, and focus on offences committed by lorry drivers. 

The initiative took place between Monday 17 July and Friday 21 July and involved officers from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, and the Road Casualty Reduction Team, with enforcement taking place on the A14, A12 and A11.

A14 among main routes targetted

The HGV tractor unit - which was driven by a police officer - provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, whilst also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars too. Supporting police officers are then on hand to pull-over any offenders.

A total of 140 vehicles were stopped, including 56 HGVs and 54 smaller goods vehicles.

155 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), some having committed more than one offence. 

112 TORs were issued, with the primary offences highlighted below:

• 55 for not wearing a seatbelt
• 36 for using a mobile phone
• 21 for an insecure load
• 20 for construction and use (roadworthiness offences)
• 13 for driving without due care and attention
• seven for excess speed
• one for not being in proper control
• one for no insurance

PC Terry Harvey from the Suffolk Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) said: "We are pleased with the results of Operation Tramline, we have run this in quite quick succession to the last operation and it is evident from the reduction in offences that motorists on the county's roads are starting to get the education and enforcement message. 

"As a team we are still surprised by some of the risks that motorists take and will continue to reinforce these important safety and legal points in our interactions. Officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team (RAPT) see the tragic outcomes on a regular basis of motorists failing to take basic safety precautions which put themselves and others at risk hence why we have such a passion for this operation and area of policing." 

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, added: "Well done to everyone involved in this successful Tramline operation. Another excellent example of the Constabulary's pro-active approach to enforcement resulting in our roads being safer for us all.

"It's very disappointing that drivers – particularly those who rely on their driving licence for their livelihood - still need to be reminded about something so obvious as putting on a seat belt or not using their mobile phones. And to think a driver could get behind the wheel without insurance is just unbelievable. 

"I spent time with the roads policing unit on a previous campaign and was amazed at what you see from an HGV cab, it really does give officers an opportunity to see offences they might otherwise miss so I'd like to thank National Highways for providing the vehicle, this partnership working really does pay dividends."