Almost 90 Driving Offences Detected in North Wales During Operation Tramline

Nearly 90 offences were identified in August as part of a targeted road safety campaign in North Wales, carried out with the support of an unmarked heavy goods vehicle.

The initiative, known as Operation Tramline, saw officers from the Roads Crime Unit patrol major routes using a specialist HGV tractor unit provided by National Highways.

From the lorry’s elevated cab, officers were able to gain a clearer view into vehicles, making it easier to identify unsafe behaviour.

Suspected offences were recorded on camera before Roads Crime Unit officers intercepted the vehicles or directed drivers into checkpoints.

The operation led to the detection of almost 90 offences, including:

• Drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel

• Motorists failing to wear seatbelts

• Vehicles carrying insecure loads, which in some cases revealed further issues such as uninsured vehicles and defective tyres

  
  

Sergeant Danny Rees, from the Roads Crime Unit, said:

“Road safety continues to be a priority for North Wales Police, and the number of offences detected during this operation highlights the importance of this type of proactive road safety initiative. It’s disappointing that some drivers are still using their phones despite our regular warnings. The penalties are clear – a £200 fine and six penalty points – yet people continue to take the risk. Using a mobile phone and failing to wear a seatbelt are two of the ‘Fatal Five’, the behaviours most commonly linked to serious injuries and deaths on our roads. Offenders not only endanger themselves but also innocent road users. This was the first time in a decade that the operation has come to North Wales, and we’re grateful to National Highways for their cooperation. We will continue to use operations like this to deter and detect dangerous driving.”

Marie Biddulph, Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator at National Highways, added:

“This year marks ten years since Operation Tramline was launched in partnership with police forces, using HGVs to patrol roads and encourage safer driving behaviours. Research shows that not wearing a seatbelt makes you twice as likely to die in a collision, and drivers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to be involved in a crash. It is disappointing to see some motorists continue to take these risks. Road safety is something we must all take responsibility for, which is why we work so closely with our police partners and road users. Our long-term goal is to ensure that no-one is seriously hurt or killed on our roads.”

Further information about Operation Tramline is available on the National Highways website: Tackling dangerous driving behaviour – National Highways.