Nottinghamshire Police have stepped up checks on motorway drivers after an operation using an elevated HGV cab identified multiple offences, including mobile phone use while driving. Officers say the approach allows them to spot dangers they might otherwise miss and has led to a string of fines and points for motorists.
Elevated view reveals obstructed sightlines and offences
Between Monday and Friday, 13-17 July, officers operating as part of Operation Tramline used an unmarked lorry — supplied and operated by National Highways — to patrol the M1. The elevated position of the cab gave a clearer view of drivers’ behaviour and led to action against 16 HGV drivers and more than 90 other motorists stopped during the week.
Of particular concern was a lorry driver whose mobile phone was reported to be positioned in the centre of his field of vision, effectively blocking his view of the road ahead and other road users at certain distances.
"Mobile phone use at the wheel is a significant cause of serious and fatal collisions on our roads, especially when committed by HGV drivers," said Sergeant Jim Carrington of the Roads Policing Unit. "These drivers are now each counting the cost of putting other road users in danger for the sake of sending or receiving a message."
How many drivers were dealt with and what penalties followed?
Officers recorded a series of offences during the patrols. The most numerous penalty related to mobile phone use while driving:
- 38 drivers were dealt with for using a mobile phone at the wheel.
- Each of those drivers received a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence.
- Additional offences observed included seatbelt breaches and other driving offences.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| HGV drivers stopped | 16 |
| Motorists stopped (total) | 90+ |
| Drivers fined for phone use | 38 |
Why officers say the tactic matters
Sergeant Carrington highlighted the particular responsibility carried by drivers of large goods vehicles. Because of their weight and size, HGV drivers who are distracted can cause particularly severe outcomes in collisions. His comments referred to tragic incidents he has attended involving phone use at the wheel and the lasting impact on emergency responders.
Operation Tramline is a recurring enforcement initiative that uses the vantage point of an HGV cab to spot and film offences. Nottinghamshire officers say this perspective allowed them to identify problems such as obscured sightlines and phone use that might have gone unnoticed from regular patrol cars.
Drivers are reminded that using a hand-held mobile phone while driving remains an offence and carries a fixed penalty and points. The force’s action over the week underlines a continued emphasis on road safety on the county’s motorways and major routes.
Further patrols are expected as Operation Tramline continues to target dangerous driving behaviours on Nottinghamshire roads.
