Police in Norfolk stopped over 80 vehicles and detected over 145 offences as part of a roads policing operation targeting commercial vehicles.

The initiative began at the start of last week (Monday 15 March 2021), and ran until Sunday 21 March, coinciding with a nationwide campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

As part of the operation officers from the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team and the Road Casualty Reduction Team carried out extra patrols, in both marked and unmarked vehicles concentrating on offences committed by commercial vehicle drivers.

Officers conducted checks across the strategic road network with enforcement taking place along the A11 and A47.

In Norfolk, a total of 81 vehicles were stopped, with 147 offences being detected. 131 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) were issued, with some drivers having committed more than one offence.

Drivers issued with TORs were dealt with for the following offences:

Failing to wear a seatbelt
Using a mobile phone

Excess speed

Dangerous driving

Insecure loads

No Insurance

Vehicle defects

Careless driving

Temporary Chief Inspector Jon Chapman from the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: “This was a very successful week of enforcement activity with a number of commercial vehicle drivers being dealt with for various offences including vehicle defects, insecure loads, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

“It is extremely disappointing to see a number of drivers being dealt with for the fatal four offences which include speeding, driving without a seatbelt, driving whilst using a mobile phone and drink or drug driving. As we continue to reiterate, these offences increase the chance of being involved in a serious or even fatal collision.

“These campaigns give us the opportunity to target drivers who are putting not only their own safety at risk, but also the safety of other road users at risk and we will continue to take enforcement action against anyone who is flouting the law.”

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green said: “The list of offences committed by the drivers stopped during this policing operation makes for stark reading.

“That so many commercial vehicle drivers were found to be committing offences on Norfolk’s roads is simply inexcusable.

“Drivers like these who flout the law present a very real risk to the safety of all road users. Improving road safety has always been one of my top priorities and I fully support my roads policing colleagues in clamping down on offenders and sending the clear message that this reckless behaviour will not be tolerated in our county.”

Traffic Offence Reports were issued as part of this year’s campaign, which could result in fines and/or points on drivers’ licences. Those with existing points risk losing their licence completely.