Thames Valley Police target unsafe drivers in road traffic operation with National Highways

Thames Valley Police has issued 130 traffic offence reports in a joint operation targetting road traffic offences.

The week-long operation covered sections of the M1, M40, M4 and A34, targetting road safety and seeking to detect and deal with road traffic offences.

The Joint Operations Road Policing Unit worked in partnership with National Highways to run what it called Operation Tramline.

Officers from Thames Valley Police deployed an unmarked HGV tractor unit supplied and funded by National Highways.

With the help from the HGV, officers were able to drive alongside vehicles from an "elevated position" to film unsafe driver behaviour.

Officers detected offences being committed by private vehicle drivers and observed commercial vehicles that are "sometimes more difficult" to see into from patrol cars.

They issued offence reports for drivers using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seat belt, careless driving, driving while not in proper control, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to comply with a red traffic light.

Three car drivers were also arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed drug drive limit.

In total, the following offences were dealt with.

• Driving while using a mobile phone – 40
• Driving without wearing a seatbelt – 77
• Careless driving – 6
• Driving while not in proper control – 5
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence – 1
• Failing to comply to a red traffic light – 1

Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit Inspector Scott Long said: “We strive towards delivering a first-class service to the public and to further reduce the volume of those who die or who are seriously injured on our roads."

He added: “Working in partnership with National Highways, we have a long-term ambition that no one should be harmed when travelling or working on the road network.

“Operation Tramline is helping to achieve that aim as we seek to reinforce appropriate and safe driving behaviour.”