Police Use New Tactics To Enforce Safe Driving
Kent police have introduced a new way of ensuring that lorry drivers are driving safely on UK roads. A two week operation saw officers cracking down on drivers who were breaking the law by being distracted at the wheel.
During the operation, which ran from Monday 24th October to Sunday 6th November, a total of 181 offences were committed and £11,000 in fines were issued. The enforcement initiative was the first of its kind undertaken in Kent and officers patrolled the motorway and other main roads in an unmarked lorry, taking video evidence of drivers who were not complying with the law.
Most offenders were pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt, but there was also a significant number of in-cab distractions recorded. Drivers were caught using mobile phones, steering with their knees and reading a map whilst driving. Additionally, many vehicle defects were found and some lorries were found to be dangerously overweight.
The police force worked with a local LCV Dealer Ashford so that officers were high enough to see into the cabs of lorries on the road. Roads Policing Unit Inspector, Paul Sellwood, said: ‘The degree of offending behaviour amongst lorry drivers was higher than I expected for a two week period. We are very pleased with the results of the operation. It was a first for Kent Police and because it was so successful we aim to do many more.
“If we have prevented one fatal collision and saved one family from losing a loved one, we would have achieved our goal.”
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