‘Large number’ of people caught using phones while driving in Sussex

Police carried out a week-long operation to tackle the problem of people driving while using mobile phones.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Vehicles were stopped for offences as part of Operation Tramline, a week-long operation by officers from Surrey Police and Sussex Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) and Roads Policing Unit (RPU).

The team patrolled the M25, M23, A23 and A27 during the week of action earlier this month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Working in partnership with National Highways, officers used an unmarked lorry to check all vehicles types.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said, “A large percentage of drivers were stopped because they were seen using their mobile phone while driving, and a number of others for not having proper control of their vehicle.”

Officers were also checking to ensure drivers wore their seatbelts, were keeping to their driving hours, had made sure that the load being carried had been properly secured, and that the vehicles were not carrying too much weight.

Of the 99 drivers stopped for offences, 19 were for using a mobile phone at the wheel and 25 were for not being in proper control of the vehicle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sergeant Huw Watts said, “It is disappointing that such a large number of the offences were for people driving while using a mobile phone.

Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145943001Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145943001
Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145943001

“This operation has run five times this year and Sussex and Surrey forces were the second most productive forces in the country for vehicle checks.

“It shows that people are continuing to flout the law and put themselves and others in danger. We will continue to enforce the law and to help reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured by an irresponsible minority of road users.”

Colin Evans, regional safety coordinator in the South East at National Highways, 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We introduced the three HGV supercabs recently 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.

Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145933001Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145933001
Police warning for lorry drivers over mobile phone use at the wheel in Sussex. Photo from Sussex Police. SUS-211223-145933001

“The cabs have helped to identify thousands of unsafe drivers over the past year, and we hope they will encourage everyone to think about what more they could do to improve how they drive.”

Sergeant Watts said two vehicles were seized as a result of officers’ patrols and 18 drivers faced either a fixed penalty notice/a graduated fixed penalty notice/a roadside deposit.

Police confirmed officers completed 55 traffic offence reports where drivers could face points on their licence, while three drivers will face a court summons for their offences. Thirty drivers were given words of advice by officers.

Related topics: