Photo credits @ Suffolk Police

7 arrests and 250 offences issued during police operation using HGV

Police in Suffolk made seven arrests, stopped over 200 vehicles and detected more than 250 offences, as part of a week-long operation primarily focused on heavy goods vehicles, but also detecting any offences committed by all other motorists.

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Operation Tramline saw police provided with an HGV tractor unit by National Highways, which allowed officers to carry out patrols across the county’s strategic road network and focus on offences committed by lorry drivers.

Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, Road Casualty Reduction Team and the Commercial Vehicle Unit, with enforcement taking place on the A14, A11 and A12.

“The HGV tractor unit – which was driven by a police officer – provides an ideal vantage point meaning officers can look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers, whilst also dealing with any offending motorists driving vans or cars too. Supporting police officers are then on hand to pull over any offenders,” explains police.

A total of 216 vehicles were stopped, including 116 HGVs and 68 smaller goods vehicles.

  • Seven people were arrested as follows: six on suspicion of drug-driving; and one on suspicion of possession of cannabis and driving whilst disqualified.
  • 258 offences were detected and the drivers in question were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), some having committed more than one offence.

213 traffic offence reports were issued, with the primary offences highlighted below:

  • 120 for not wearing a seatbelt
  • 41 for using a mobile phone
  • 33 for construction and use (roadworthiness offences)
  • 25 for an insecure load
  • 13 for driving without due care and attention
  • four for excess speed
  • four for no insurance

Sergeant Scott Lee-Amies, of the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said:

“Not only were seven people arrested – six of which were for drug-driving which directly puts the lives of others at risk – 56% of the drivers stopped were not wearing a seatbelt and 19% were using a mobile phone. Considering that some of these offenders were professional drivers, those statistics are completely unacceptable.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added:

“It’s very disappointing that drivers – particularly those who rely on their driving licence for their livelihood – still need to be reminded about something so obvious as putting on a seat belt or not using their mobile phones. And to think a driver could get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs is quite unbelievable. I just can’t understand why anyone would risk their own life and the lives of others by driving when either they or their vehicle, is unfit for the road.”


Photo credits @ Suffolk Police

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