North Wales Police Target Unsafe Driving in Op Tramline Crackdown

Police in North Wales stopped almost 50 motorists during a road safety operation aimed at tackling dangerous driving on some of the region’s busiest routes.

The Roads Crime Unit took part in Op Tramline, a nationwide initiative that uses an unmarked heavy goods vehicle (HGV) supplied by National Highways. The specialist vehicle is used by forces across the UK to monitor traffic and identify unsafe behaviour among all types of road users, including commercial drivers.

From the elevated position inside the HGV cab, officers are able to see clearly into passing vehicles, making it easier to spot offences that might otherwise go unnoticed. When an offence is identified, it is recorded on camera and passed to officers in nearby patrol vehicles, who then stop the driver and take appropriate action.

During the operation, officers recorded a total of 49 offences. These included 22 drivers not wearing seatbelts, 11 using mobile phones while driving, four cases of driving without due care and attention, four incidents involving insecure loads, and three construction and use violations.

Sergeant Danny Rees from the Roads Crime Unit said the findings highlight the importance of proactive enforcement. He noted that one particularly concerning incident involved a driver with their foot on the dashboard while watching a film on their phone, who then swerved in front of the unmarked HGV.

He stressed that road safety remains a key priority and warned that behaviours such as mobile phone use and failing to wear a seatbelt are among the “Fatal Five” offences most commonly linked to serious and fatal collisions.

Sergeant Rees added that operations like Op Tramline will continue, with support from National Highways, to deter dangerous driving and improve safety for all road users. He urged drivers to consider the risks of their actions and make safer choices behind the wheel.