POLICE officers used a lorry cab to catch out more than 100 drivers breaking the law.

Last week, Thames Valley Police’s (TVP) joint operations roads policing unit worked with National Highways to run ‘Operation Tramline’.

The road safety operation covered sections of the M1, M40, M4 and A34.

Officers used an unmarked HGV tractor unit, supplied and funded by National Highways, to stamp down on driving offences.

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The elevated position of the HGV cabs allowed officers to drive alongside other vehicles and film unsafe driver behaviour, TVP reported.

The force added in a statement online: “Using the HGV enabled officers to not only detect offences being committed by private vehicle drivers, but also enabled officers to observe commercial vehicles that are sometimes more difficult to see into from patrol cars.”

During the week-long operation, 130 traffic offence reports were given to drivers for a variety of crimes.

These includes using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seat belt, careless driving, driving while not in proper control, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to comply with a red traffic light.

Three car drivers were also arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed drug drive limit.

Oxford Mail: Thames Valley Police used a lorry cab to catch drivers breaking the law. Picture: Thames Valley PoliceThames Valley Police used a lorry cab to catch drivers breaking the law. Picture: Thames Valley Police (Image: TVP)

In total, the following offences were dealt with: driving while using a mobile phone (40); driving without wearing a seatbelt (77); careless driving (six); driving while not in proper control (five); driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (one), and failing to comply to a red traffic light (one).

Inspector Scott Long, of the joint operations roads policing unit, said the force has a ‘long-term ambition that no one should be harmed when travelling in working on the road network’.

He added: “We strive towards delivering a first-class service to the public and to further reduce the volume of those who die or who are seriously injured on our roads.

“By utilising Operation Tramline, we have been able to deal with a number of motorists who were committing road traffic offences that are linked to the fatal four – driving whilst using a mobile phone, driving without wearing a seatbelt, driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink and speeding.

Oxford Mail: Thames Valley Police used a lorry cab to catch drivers breaking the law. Picture: Thames Valley PoliceThames Valley Police used a lorry cab to catch drivers breaking the law. Picture: Thames Valley Police

“Working in partnership with National Highways, we have a long-term ambition that no one should be harmed when travelling or working on the road network.

“Operation Tramline is helping to achieve that aim as we seek to reinforce appropriate and safe driving behaviour.”

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice