Officers take to roads in HGV as part of a crackdown on drivers using mobile phones

Police officers took to the roads in a lorry as part of a crackdown on people using mobile phones while driving.

During the five-day operation last week (17 to 21 March) road policing officers, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, patrolled roads across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire in a bid to snare drivers flouting the law.

Whilst driving an adapted police lorry across the A1M, A14, M11, A11, A421, M1 and the M25, the team caught 47 motorists on their phones.

They also stopped vehicles for driving without due care with the curtain closed, overweight and insecure loads, as well as excess speed and no number plate.

The team took photos of the drivers who were using their mobile phones and reported them where they will now face a £200 fine and six points on their licence.

Sergeant Chris Payne, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Unfortunately, many drivers still don't consider how their behaviour behind the wheel of their vehicle can affect themselves, their passengers and other people using the roads.

“As a department we’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences a moment of lapse in concentration can cause.

“If people are tempted to use their phones while driving, they should be put in the glove compartment or boot. A call or a text is not worth losing your life for.

“We will continue to crackdown on those flouting the law to make our roads a safe place for all users.”

Across the three counties 58 drivers were reported for offences including:

• 47 for use of mobile phones when driving
• Four for not in proper control when driving
• Two for driving without due care
• Two for driving with an insecure load
• One for having no index plate
• One driver for excess speed
• One overweight vehicle