Driver snacking on noodles caught in the act

A motorway driver eating a Pot Noodle at the wheel was among people spotted when Wiltshire Police took to the roads in an unmarked HGV.

Others included a driver who ended up on the hard shoulder as he read messages on his watch, a lorry driver steering with his elbows as he made coffee and two drivers writing messages on paper resting on their steering wheels.

Two drivers were caught travelling at more than 100mph, and four cars stopped on the hard shoulder so their occupants could discuss which beach to visit.

The unmarked police HGV was loaned to the Wiltshire force by Highways England for the two-week Operation Tramline, and gave officers a good vantage point for monitoring bad driving. Video evidence was collected by an officer in the passenger seat.

Sgt Will Ayres, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “The operation has been running successfully across the country since 2014.  By using an unmarked truck we can check all drivers are adhering to the rules of the road and not doing anything that could distract them or put other road users in danger. 

"This operation also ties in with the NPCC [National Police Chiefs Council] national seatbelt campaign that is currently running, and the HGV was a brilliant platform to use to detect occupants committing offences.”

“We have seen some shocking behaviour and speeds. Two drivers were travelling at 110mph and 120mph and unbelievably four cars had stopped on the hard shoulder so the occupants could decide which beach they should go to. The former will be attending court and the latter were issued with fixed penalty notices.”

Most drivers were found to be obeying the rules of the road, but officers were disappointed by the number of motorists committing offences putting themselves and others at risk.

There were 18 people without seatbelts, eight using mobile phones, five not in proper control, four stopping on the hard shoulder and one each driving with no insurance, driving a light vehicle while disqualified, driving an overweight vehicle and having an insecure load.

Jerry Herbert, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “Operation Tramline is another way that Wiltshire Police works in partnership to keep our roads safe. The HGV loaned by Highways England has helped us to monitor instances of bad driving that could otherwise have gone undetected and cost lives.”

“It amazes me that after 37 years of mandatory use of seatbelts 18 people neglect to wear them. 

"It is one of the Fatal Four causes of death on our roads, along with drink/drug driving, inappropriate speed and using a mobile phone when driving.

"All are easy to avoid by staying inside the speed limit, not making calls on your phone, never drinking alcohol or taking drugs when driving and always wearing your seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives.”

Mr Herbert said that, according to the THINK! seatbelt campaign, not wearing a seatbelt made a person twice as likely to die in a crash.