Proactive operation to tackle driving offences records over 200 violations

A covert road safety campaign on the M25 last month resulted in a total of 247 police interventions for offences such as mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and multi-tasking whilst behind the wheel.

Officers from the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing and Commercial Vehicle Unit used an unmarked HGV lorry from National Highways, as well as unmarked police cars, to catch law breakers in the act.

In total, 196 stops were made and 240 offences identified between 18 and 24 July, with roughly one third (36%) for mobile phone use and another third (33%) for not wearing a seatbelt.

As a result, 16 drivers were summonsed to court and a staggering 145 traffic offence reports were recorded.

Chief Inspector Michael Hodder from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “We regularly carry out these targeted operations alongside our usual roads policing operations, and we are disappointed each time to see just how many people are still committing basic driving offences despite knowing the dangers.

“I would like to thank all Surrey and Sussex Officers who work tirelessly all year round to make our roads safer for everyone. Each intervention is a chance to prevent a devastating collision, protect a life and make a careless driver think twice.

“To those who continue to offend on our roads – please remember that next time you commit an offence, we might not be everywhere, but we could be anywhere.”