A three-day police operation has led to the detection of 44 driving offences, with one motorist arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
The operation, which took place from December 3rd to 6th, saw officers patrolling the M4 using unmarked heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) as part of Operation Tramline.
The initiative, which allows officers to observe traffic from an elevated position, aims to identify drivers committing serious offences. One driver, who was initially stopped for not being in proper control of his vehicle, now faces the prospect of losing his licence after officers discovered a strong smell of cannabis emanating from his van. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving. He has since been released under investigation.
The operation specifically targeted the so-called “fatal five” driving offences: using a mobile phone, drink or drug driving, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, and careless driving. HGV drivers were the most common offenders, with the most frequent violation being the failure to wear a seatbelt. Offenders caught without a seatbelt were handed an on-the-spot £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, along with a reminder of the life-saving importance of this simple safety measure.
PC Luke Hobbs, of Wiltshire’s Roads Policing Unit, explained: “These offences might appear minor, but they often reveal patterns of more serious criminal behaviour. Operation Tramline allows us to effectively monitor all vehicles on the motorway, ensuring that we can stop dangerous driving before it leads to tragedy.”
The government’s road safety statistics show that from 2018 to 2022, 24% of fatalities in road crashes were the result of individuals not wearing a seatbelt. PC Hobbs stressed the importance of wearing a seatbelt, saying: “The reality is that you’re much more likely to be seriously injured or even killed if you’re not wearing a seatbelt. Drivers need to consider the consequences, not just for themselves but for their loved ones.”
Other notable incidents from the operation included assisting with Tactical Pursuit and Containment manoeuvres and temporarily closing part of the M4 to rescue a swan. National Highways’ Jack Mason highlighted the role of Operation Tramline in improving road safety: “The vast majority of people use our roads responsibly, but this operation is a reminder that a small minority still put others at risk. The elevated position of the HGV cabs means that offenders can be spotted easily, and they will face the consequences.”
Operation Tramline is carried out multiple times each year in a bid to keep Britain’s roads safe for everyone.
