P ENFORCEMENT
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Second police force launches a 'spy-truck to catch law breakers
CM COVER STORY
AVON AND SOMERSET Police is the second force to trial a spy-truck' in order to gain a cablevel view of any drivers breaking the law.
Volvo has lent the force an FF-1Globetrotter for the whole of this month for a project to catch rogue drivers, called Operation Tramline. An observer in the passenger seat of the truck records any offenders with a handheld digital camera, while a pollee is called forward to stopcheck any suspicious activity.
Sergeant Mike Olding, from the roads policing unit, says: The police lorry will be a great help to see if heavy goods drivers are using a mobile phone, laptop or even cooking their dinner; anything that affects their control of the vehicle. Those caught may receive a fine, be arrested, or face having their licence revoked."
In October 2009, the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) became the first to use a spytruck: a police-liveried Scania R480 tractor unit.
The new Avon and Somerset scheme has been praised by Western Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell: As well as looking at the manner of driving of all motorway users, the operation focuses on the way inconsiderate driving by goods vehicles causes a risk to other drivers. This can only help to reinforce the message that transport services must be operated within regulations and with consideration for other road users."
• See page 18 for more on CMPG.