An operation by the Tri-Force Roads Policing Unit targeting drivers breaking the law on the M4 and M5 was held last week.
Operation Tramline saw officers from Wiltshire, Avon & Somerset and Gloucestershire, stop a total of 22 vehicles over two days on June 27 and 28. This included cars, vans and large goods vehicles.
A number of offences were dealt with including careless driving, overweight vehicles, drivers tacho hours, no insurance, document offences, vehicle defects and using mobile phones while driving.
Four drivers were reported for summons to court, 11 traffic offence reports were issued, six fixed penalty notices were given, one driver received a verbal warning and three were reported to the Traffic Commissioner.
Four vehicles were also seized for having no insurance.
Tri-Force Sgt Tony Gray, who led the operation, said: “One lorry driver was stopped for not being in control of his vehicle after he was seen eating at the wheel. This kind of behaviour results in serious collisions, sometimes fatal, so operations like this are not only vital in preventing such accidents from happening, but in reminding drivers of the risks they are taking when they get behind the wheel and fail to give the road their full attention.
“This was a successful operation with several drivers now facing court for their actions.
“We are committed to keeping our roads safe and will continue to target drivers on the motorway, as well as the busiest roads in our county.”
