‘SHOCKING’ – drivers have been spotted rolling a joint, eating a meal and using their phones behind the wheel by police on the region’s motorways.
Officers from West Midlands Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) dealt with almost 200 offences on the M5, M6, M42 and A38(M) during the week-long Operation Tramline.
Officers used an unmarked HGV to see into other vehicles to spot the offences.
A van driver who was seen rolling a suspected cannabis joint later tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.
A lorry driver who was transporting flammable liquids was spotted eating a meal while driving, with a cup in one hand and a spoon in the other.
Another van driver was travelling at speed through traffic with no hands on the steering wheel while typing on his mobile phone.
And a taxi driver was driving unprofessionally while using his mobile phone.
Of the 195 offences spotted, 50 were drivers using their mobile phone, while 34 were not wearing a seatbelt.
Officers also recorded 11 insecure load offences, 11 drivers without insurance, and five drivers in prohibited vehicles using the outside lane.
Sgt Sarah Phillips from RPU said: “We’re grateful to our partners at National Highways for working with us on Operation Tramline, which allows us to use the HGV to great effect.
“We’ve been able to detect and deal with offences that are undoubtedly putting other road users at risk.
“Some of the examples are truly shocking, and I hope they act as a reminder to drivers to think about their behaviour.”
National Highways Regional Safety Programme Manager Marie Biddulph said: “It is disappointing to see some of the unsafe behaviours happening on our roads, including 50 people using their mobile phone at the wheel. You’re four times more likely to be in a collision if using a phone at the wheel.
“But we do know that these drivers, those prepared to put themselves and others at risk, are the minority. So we will continue to work with the police and road users to help us collectively achieve our long-term ambition that no-one is harmed on our roads.”
