POLICE officers who prowled in an unmarked HGV cab have warned motorists who commit offences while behind the wheel that they will be caught - after dozens of people were stopped on Barnsley’s stretch of the M1.
South Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police joined forces earlier this month for a four-day crackdown gathering ‘shocking’ footage of actions which they say could have led to devastating collisions.
On Barnsley’s part of the M1 - which runs from junction 38 at Haigh to junction 35A at Tankersley - drivers were recorded watching TV on their tablets and mobiles, failing to wear their seat belts and swerving on the hard shoulder.
Of those stopped, 30 were found to be on their mobile phone, 31 were not wearing a seatbelt, 13 were deemed to not be in proper control of their vehicle, 21 were dealt with for inappropriately using the hard shoulder and four were driving in the outside lane in a prohibited vehicle.
The majority who fell foul of the operation were HGV drivers, according to South Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Pete Spratt.
He added: “We’re committed to doing all we can to reduce road deaths and casualties on our roads but everyone must take responsibility for their actions and help us reduce the risk.
“I urge people to think how they would feel if their loved one was killed by a drink or drug driver, or by someone who picked up their mobile phone behind the wheel.
“Every one of the drivers caught during this operation had the ability in certain circumstances to kill someone.”
Between November and December 2023, there was a spike in the number of people seriously injured in a road crash, which sparked the scheme.
So-called ‘Fatal Four’ offences - as set out in the crackdown’s manifesto - includes issues which have caused the greatest contributing factors to fatal and serious collisions within South Yorkshire such as using a mobile phone, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.
“These are all things a driver can avoid doing,” Chf Insp Pratt added.
“You can and should be in control of your own actions.
“If you seriously hurt someone or kill them, you will likely be facing a significant prison sentence.”
The elevated position of the adapted HGV cab - supplied by Highways England - allowed the neighbouring forces’ officers to target commercial lorry drivers more than ordinary-sized vehicles via hand-held recording devices while acting as passengers.
Sergeant Ryan Burt added: “Once we identified an offence, the offending vehicle was intercepted by a marked police car, with the driver spoken to and dealt with.
“Being able to patrol the motorway network in this way allows us to target people who are putting themselves and other road users at risk.”
