Highways England is highlighting the issue of driver distraction after releasing footage captured on the M40 in Warwickshire which shows a driver of a heavy goods vehicle veering dangerously on the motorway while using his mobile phone at the wheel.
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Over 6000 similar offences have been recorded across the network since 2015 through the company’s Operation Tramline initiative, which sees police officers travel in an unmarked ‘supercab’ to spot instances of careless driving. Since its launch, the campaign has identified a total of over 2100 offences, which also include not wearing a seatbelt and speeding.
The Highways England supercabs are currently being used as part of a multi agency ‘Week of Action’ focused on the M6, which aims to help reduce the number of incidents on the motorway and highlight road safety risks.
“The Operation Tramline cabs are an important part of our commitment to tackling dangerous driving and those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and that of others on the road,” said Highways England’s head of road safety Jeremy Phillips.
“The number of people found using their mobile phone while driving is quite alarming. You are four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone and, if caught, face a £200 fine and six points on your licence.” He added: “Through this week of action on the M6 we want to make all of our roads safer by raising awareness and encouraging motorists to consider their driving behaviour.”
To view the recent footage taken on the M40, click here. A series of further clips showing dangerous behaviour caught by Operation Tramline are also available to view on Highways England’s YouTube page.
TP recently convened a roundtable of road safety specialists to discuss the growing problem of driver distraction on the roads, which is featured in the May issue of the magazine.
Also featuring in the latest issue is a look at plans to begin operations at seven UK spaceports next year, including horizontal launch facilities at Newquay Airport, Prestwick near Glasgow, Campbelltown on the Mull of Kintyre and at Llanbedr in Snowdonia.
Government has this week announced that new regulations laid in Parliament will allow satellites and rockets to lift off from UK soil for the first time, with the first flights expected next summer.
(Photograph: Highways England)
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