Cheshire Police carried out an operation last week, in response to national concern about the number of heavy goods vehicle drivers not adhering to road safety measures.
Officers were on the look out in particular for drivers not wearing a seatbelt, drivers using a mobile phone and drivers eating or drinking at the wheel. The innovative use of a HGV vehicle allowed Officers to observe HGV drivers on an equal level.
The operation highlighted that many HGV drivers are not heeding safety warnings. Over a four hour period, 31 vehicles were stopped and 34 fixed penalty tickets were issued to drivers and passengers for various offences. Twenty three of the tickets were for seat belts not being worn and eleven were for mobile phone offences or driving when not in proper control, which includes consuming food or drink, using laptops and any other distracting activity.
Liz Cunningham the Roads Policing Motorway Operations Inspector said: "The operation was important for addressing the number of accidents that occur as a result of drivers not concentrating on the road. By issuing fixed penalty tickets hopefully drivers will think twice about not wearing a seat belt or distracting themselves whilst driving. A high proportion of accidents could be prevented by drivers being sensible."
In the last 12 months there were nine injury collisions in Cheshire where the use of a mobile phone was a contributory factor, whilst the number of collisions where a ′distraction in vehicle′ occurred was even higher at 53, including one fatality.
Inspector Liz Cunningham added: "The figures show that 62 collisions occurred because people still don′t realise how dangerous it is to become distracted whilst you′re driving. The operation carried out last week targeted HGV drivers as it is more difficult to police these vehicles while they are on the road.
"The message we are conveying is that people should comply with road safety measures such as wearing seat-belts when they are fitted, not using phones whilst driving. Enforcement is carried out when it is clear compliance is not being achieved by advice and education so these operations will continue to take place."
