Police use lorry to target dangerous drivers

Not being in proper control of a vehicle and failing to wear a seatbelt were some of the offences detected during an operation by officers using an undercover lorry yesterday (Tuesday 7^th May).

 

Officers from North Wales Police’ Commercial Vehicle Unit, which includes staff from VOSA and Roads Policing Officers, worked in partnership to target HGV drivers who flout the law.

 

The operation, which was the first of its kind in North Wales, was carried out to coincide with UN Road Safety Week (6^th – 12^th May 2013) which highlights some of the work being done as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020.

 

Sergeant Tony Gatley who was in charge of the initiative said: “During the operation 24 offences were detected and all were dealt with by fixed penalty notices.

 

“Some of the most worrying were those who were not in proper control of their vehicle. One driver was found to be reading a map, which was being balanced on the steering wheel and another was a driver playing with his mobile phone and taking photographs. Any vehicle not being driven safely can be a lethal weapon and drivers need to be responsible for their actions when they get behind the wheel.

 

“HGV’s are large and powerful vehicles and the consequences to other motorists, as well as themselves can be devastating. For instance, when a heavy vehicle hits a stationary car on the hard shoulder or in a tailback the consequences can be fatal.

 

He added: “It has been a real eye opener to see the results of the operation because police in cars or on motorbikes cannot see in the cabs of lorries and we intend on carrying out similar operations in the future.”