Undercover operation to tackle dangerous driving on M60

North West Motorway Police

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An operation to tackle dangerous motorway driving using an undercover lorry, giving Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers a direct view of any misdemeanours, has been under way for the past fortnight.

The operation started on 27 April 2015 and lasted for two weeks and has seen officers from the GMP Road Policing Unit patrol the M60 motorway - which is currently undergoing work to upgrade it to a smart motorway – and target HGVs that are driving dangerously and tailgating other vehicles. The undercover truck was also on hand to deal with other offences that arose whilst out on patrol.

Drivers were stopped for a number of offences including texting at the wheel, aggressive driving and reading a book at the wheel.

A total of 71 people were stopped, with 66 of them issued with tickets for driving without due care (potential penalty for which is a £100 fine and three points), one given an on the spot fine and one vehicle was seized.

Inspector Susan Redfern said: “The operation has been a big success and we are delighted with how it has gone.

“We have had some good results over the course of Operation Tramline and I hope that those people who have been issued with penalties take their punishments to heart and stop committing offenses that are endangering the lives of other drivers.

“There’s been quite a range of reasons that we’ve stopped people for but I think probably the most unbelievable one was stopping one particular driver for reading a book at the wheel.”

The undercover lorry is owned by Highways England and is being loaned out to forces around the country to assist in road policing.

The cab of the lorry is kitted out with recording equipment, with footage from the camera being used as evidence of the offenders in the act.

Inspector Paul Rowe said: “When the opportunity to use the lorry came up we jumped at the chance and we are delighted that we are being given the opportunity to use it to help keep our roads safe. Often the elevated position of HGV drivers makes it hard to monitor their activity and so many may feel they’re above the law. Being at the same height as other lorries is a real advantage.

“With the on-going road works on the M60 causing disruption to regular motorway users, it may also be tempting for some people to try and make up for these delays by rushing which can massively increase the risk of an accident.

“Of course most drivers don’t give into this temptation but since these road works are due to continue until 2017, it is important that we make sure that this motorway remains safe for everybody to use and we believe this operation will help us step up these efforts.”