Undercover lorry on the M1 look-out

14 May 2019, 16:18 | Updated: 14 May 2019, 16:20

One of a fleet of three Highways England-funded HGV cabs are patrolling the M1 this week to give officers an elevated position.

The cabs allow police drivers to borrow the units to observe and film unsafe driving on England's motorways and major A-roads as part of Operation Tramline.

This week - they are being deployed on the local stretch o f the M1.

Highways England head of road safety Richard Leonard said:

"Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel, but some are putting themselves and others at risk.

We introduced the three new HGV supercabs last year to help keep the roads safe and tackle dangerous driving by people who have either got into bad habits or are simply ignoring the law.

The cabs have helped to identify over 3,000 unsafe drivers over the past year, and we hope our week of action on the M1 will encourage everyone to think about what more they could do to improve how they drive."

National Police Chiefs' Council lead for roads policing Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said: "Operation Tramline is a successful collaboration between the police and Highways England.

"We remain committed to tackling those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and the safety of others on our roads by allowing themselves to be distracted while driving.

"The consequences of these actions are often devastating.

"We will continue to work alongside Highways England on Operation Tramline and will prosecute drivers who ignore the risks."

Other footage captured from the cabs in their first year of us

David Beckham was last week banned from driving for six months after a member of the public photographed him using his mobile phone while driving a Bentley in London's West End.

Since March 2017, motorists caught using a hand-held phone have faced incurring six points on their licence and a £200 fine - up from the previous penalty of three points and £100.