Cleveland Police: Force uses unmarked HGV to spot driving offences

The unmarked HGV cab was loaned to Cleveland Police from National Highways

Police have been using a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) cab to make it easier to see driving offences committed in lorries from a height.

Cleveland Police dealt with 16 people during the operation from 24 October to 27 October.

Offences discovered included three people driving while using a mobile phone and six not wearing seatbelts.

Police said lorries "could cause absolute devastation" if involved in a crash.

National Highways' regional safety manager Nicola Clayton said: "We want to make sure those who are putting themselves and others at risk can expect to be spotted.

"The four days of action saw numerous examples of poor driver behaviour which could have had severe consequences."

An event was also held at Teesside Park to highlight blind spots around large vehicles

Operation Tramline aimed to reduce serious and fatal collisions on roads.

Over a four-day period police discovered:

• Three offences of driving while using a mobile phone

• Six people not wearing seatbelts

• Two driving without MOT or insurance

• Three vehicles with unsecured loads

• Two overweight vehicles

Cleveland Police road safety officer Nicola Bowman said: "Lorries potentially weighing tonnes can be extremely dangerous.

"Not only do drivers put their own lives at risk when they don't abide by the law, they also risk the lives of other road users."