'Mindless stupidity' as third of drivers caught without seatbelts in Suffolk police operation

The big picture: The operation, codenamed Tramline, saw police using a specially provided HGV "tractor unit" to patrol Suffolk's major roads between 28 October and 1 November.

The unmarked lorry, driven by a police officer, allowed the team to look directly into the cabs of other vehicles while patrolling the A14, A12 and A11.

How it works:

• Police officers drive the HGV unit to spot offences
• Supporting officers then pull over offending drivers
• The elevated position helps spot mobile phone use and other distracted driving
• The operation specifically targets both HGVs and smaller vehicles

By the numbers:

• 220 vehicles stopped
• 81 HGVs checked
• 51 smaller goods vehicles inspected
• 250 offences detected

What they found: PC Wayne Sturman of the Commercial Vehicle Unit says the operation continues to uncover concerning behaviour. Among the most serious offences:

• A disqualified driver operating a 44-tonne HGV
• Another 44-tonne HGV driver caught watching pornographic material while driving
• A driver smoking in a cab while towing a fuel bowser

The commissioner's view: Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, who has participated in previous operations, says: "I spent some time with the roads policing unit in an HGV cab on a previous campaign and was amazed at what you see when you're at eye level with another HGV. It really does give officers an excellent view and an opportunity to see offences they might otherwise miss."

Speaking of the operation, he said: "I'm absolutely staggered by the mindless stupidity of drivers risking their own lives, and the lives of others."

What's next: National Highways, which provides the HGV unit free of charge, plans to continue the operation. Their Assistant Regional Safety Coordinator Marie Biddulph says: "While we still have that minority of people who insist on putting themselves and others at risk we will continue to put out our Tramline HGVs and work to make our roads safer."

The bottom line: Research shows drivers are four times more likely to crash while using a phone and twice as likely to die when not wearing a seatbelt. With 250 offences detected in just one week, including dozens of professional drivers caught ignoring basic safety rules, Suffolk police say the HGV supercab will remain a crucial tool in making the county's roads safer.