Dorset Police news site

The Roads Policing Team continued in their efforts to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s roads using a heavy goods vehicle.

Between Monday 1 September and Friday 5 September 2025, the dedicated team of officers used an unmarked heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to identify anyone committing a road traffic offence in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area.

Officers within the National Highways' HGV would alert officers on the ground nearby in cars or motorbikes to intercept the offending motorist and take action.

The operation saw collaborative working by the Roads Policing Team, National Highways, No Excuse Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit, road casualty reduction officers and officers from the Special Constabulary.

Over the course of the week, a total of 156 tickets were issued, with approximately a third being issued for people who were travelling without wearing a seatbelt, seven arrests were made and six vehicles were seized. Out of the total tickets issued, 40 were handed out to people using their mobile phone at the wheel.

Four of the arrests were made after the drivers were suspected of driving while over the specified drug drive limit.

A HGV driver was stropped for eating at the wheel while negotiating a roundabout. Further checks revealed that the motorist was driving without insurance and an out of calibration tachograph and they were subsequently dealt with for these issues.

During the week, a young male rider was stopped for riding an illegal e-bike, which was seized. He was subsequently found to be wanted for another offence and was arrested.

While officers were patrolling near to a food shop, they spotted a number of people reportedly running to get into a vehicle with stolen items. Roads policing officers stopped the vehicle and the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and driving with a revoked licence. The passenger in the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop and failing to appear.

Inspector Joe Wheable, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “This was an incredibly successful operation, which saw us deal with a large number of road traffic offences to help prevent serious or fatal collisions.

“We are grateful for the support from partners at National Highways in supplying the HGV cab unit. The elevated position of the lorry provides us with an increased visible capability that would not be achievable if we were sitting at the same level as other road users in a car.

“While the operation is focused on identifying anyone who is seen to be driving while distracted, it often leads to us uncovering further offences that may have a significant impact on our communities.

“Our roads policing officers are continuously working hard to keep everyone safe on the roads in Dorset not just this past week, but all year round.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: "I commend Dorset Police and their partner organisations for the excellent work carried out during Operation Tramline last week. The operation highlighted a number of concerning driving behaviours — from using a mobile phone whilst driving to driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy. While progress has been made in improving road safety, there is still much to do. I remain committed to supporting the dedicated officers, staff, and volunteers working tirelessly to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.

“Enforcement is just one part of the solution — education is equally vital. A split-second lapse in judgement behind the wheel can have devastating consequences. It’s simply not worth the risk.”

National Highways Engineering Team Manager for Road Safety, Jack Mason, said: “This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the launch of Operation Tramline – a partnership with police when officers patrol in our HGVs with the goal of persuading motorists to think carefully about their driving behaviours and ultimately to make our roads safer. 

“We know that you’re twice as likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt and four times more likely to be in a collision if using a phone at the wheel. So it’s disappointing to see some people putting themselves and others at risk in this way. 

“Road safety is a shared responsibility – it can’t be achieved in isolation. That is why we work so closely with our police partners as well as with road users to help us achieve our long term ambition together of no-one being hurt on our roads.”