Dorset Roads Policing team is using a lorry tractor unit to detect mobile phone offences in and around Bournemouth this week
The vehicle has been funded by National Highways which is working in partnership with Dorset Police to crack down on the ‘fatal five’ most common causes of collisions.
They include distraction – including mobile phones – not wearing a seatbelt, driving at excessive or inappropriate speed, driving under the influence of drink or drugs and driving without due care and attention.
Dorset Police issued more than 500 fixed penalty notices to motorists who were caught using a mobile phone while driving in 2022.
Anthony Thorpe, National Highways Incident Prevention Project Manager said: “Operation Tramline, which is funded by National Highways, patrols motorways and major A roads with the aim of improving road safety.
“The vehicle provides an ideal viewing platform for police officers to identify dangerous driving behaviour that can be difficult to spot from standard police patrol vehicles – for example texting while driving.
“National Highways is committed to working collaboratively with our partners to improve road safety and we will continue to use the HGV tractor unit on the strategic road network to tackle deaths and serious injuries and to encourage people to improve how they drive.”