More than 30 vehicles were stopped by police during a road safety operation targeting dangerous driving on some of North Wales’ busiest routes.
Officers from North Wales Police’s Roads Crime Unit issued tickets and graduated fixed penalty notices for a range of offences during the latest activity as part of Operation Tramline.
The operation uses an elevated HGV cab to give officers a better view inside vehicles and identify offences that can otherwise be difficult to spot from a conventional police vehicle.
During the latest operation earlier this month, officers targeted vehicles travelling on the A55, A483 and A494.
Among the offences detected were drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, failing to wear a seatbelt and travelling with insecure loads.
Police said officers are continuing to find drivers of larger commercial vehicles, including HGVs and LGVs, using mobile phones while driving.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel can distract a driver at the moment they need to concentrate on the road, putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.
Sergeant Danny Rees of the Roads Crime Unit said: “It is disappointing that we continue to see drivers putting themselves and other road users at risk through behaviour that is entirely avoidable.
“What is particularly concerning is that we continue to see professional drivers, including HGV and LGV drivers, using mobile phones whilst driving.
“When you are behind the wheel, your attention should be on the road. A phone call, message or notification can wait. Your safety, and the safety of everyone else using the road, cannot.
“Operation Tramline gives our officers an excellent vantage point to identify dangerous behaviour, and we will continue to take action where drivers put themselves and others at risk.”
National Highways Regional Safety Programme Manager, Marie Biddulph, said: “We know that the majority of people who use our roads drive safely but there remains a minority who continue to put themselves and others at risk.
“Research shows you are 4 times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone. We all need to play our part in keeping our roads as safe as they can be.
“So National Highways will continue to work with our police partners through initiatives such as Operation Tramline to encourage road users to think about their driving behaviours.”
North Wales Police is reminding motorists to make sure they are properly secured by their seatbelt, that loads are safely restrained and that mobile phones are put away before setting off.
The force said the rules apply to motorists whether they are driving a car, van, LGV or HGV.
