Over 4,000 dangerous drivers caught during a trial on UK roads
A number of unmarked lorries are to be used on UK roads to assist police in catching dangerous drivers.
These ‘supercabs’ will enable the driver of the lorry to peer down inside car’s and catch motorists out using their phones behind the wheel or for not wearing a seatbelt etc..
Three new HGV cabs are to rolled out by Highways England in a bid to tackle dangerous driving offences and hopefully improve the safety of our roads.
Whilst a trial was underway using just one of the ‘supercabs’, more than 4,000 motorists were caught for dangerous driving.
‘Supercab’ HGVs to be used by the police to catch offending drivers
These unmarked cabs come fitted with wide-angle cameras, flashing emergency lights and derestricted speed limiters.
This new fleet will now be rolled out on main roads and motorways trying to catch out dangerous drivers. Dawsonrentals will supply and maintain the HGV cabs as part of a three-year contract.
When a ‘supercab’ spots an offending driver, the vehicle pulls up alongside them and uses their cameras to capture the evidence of unsafe driving. A police car following behind will then pull the offending motorist over.
“We’ve found that the vast majority of drivers are sensible behind the wheel but a few have got into bad habits, or are simply ignoring the law and putting themselves and others at risk,” said Head of Road Safety for Highways England, Richard Leonard.
According to reports, a total of 28 police forces have joined in with the HGV cab safety initiative which first began back in April 2015.
During the first two years, more than 4,176 motorists were pulled over in connection with 5,039 offences, of which almost two thirds were using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel.
Other dangerous offences caught during the trial by officers were drivers found to be eating whilst driving, steering with their knees and some were even caught brushing their teeth whilst in control of a vehicle!
Despite a huge crackdown on mobile phone use by drivers, a large number of motorists still risk it, even though the fine is now £200 and six penalty points on your licence.
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