From peeling an egg at the wheel to smoking: police crack down on 200+ driving offences on West Midlands roads
West Midlands Police reported over 200 drivers for a range of offences - including peeling an egg while driving - during a recent road safety crackdown on the M6 and other roads
More than 200 drivers were reported in a road safety crackdown by West Midlands Police over the past week for a range of offences including peeling an egg behind the wheel.
Police used an unmarked HGV cab provided by National Highways to get a clear view of all road users during the operation between October 26 and October 31 on roads including the M5, M6, M42, and A38(M).
In total 262 drivers were reported during the week-long campaign, including for dangerous, alarming and downright bizarre incidents.
West Midlands Police said one HGV driver was spotted crawling along the M6 with a wheel that looked like it was about to come off; it emerged that the wheel had nine out of 10 bolts missing. A prohibition notice was served preventing the vehicle being driven any further and the driver was reported.
In another instance, a driver was spotted peeling an egg with both hands while driving along the motorway and reported for not being in proper control of a vehicle.
Another HGV driver was spotted smoking a cigarette in one hand and using his mobile phone in the other whilst travelling along the motorway. The driver was reported for using a mobile phone and for not being in proper control of a vehicle.
Another vehicle was found to have been incorrectly loaded and not properly secured, and seven tonnes overweight. Police found that bricks hadn’t been individually strapped, and sand had been blowing out due to not being covered.
Overall 225 offences were dealt with, including 50 drivers who were using their mobile phone and 21 caught not wearing a seatbelt.
Police also recorded 18 drivers with no insurance, 51 drivers for driving without due care and attention, five for red light offences and four drivers for not being in proper control of their vehicle.
Sergeant Steve Wellington, from West Midlands Police said: “We are committed to keeping our roads including our motorways safe for all users and we continue to work alongside our partners such as National Highways.
“Operations like these are important in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. More than 70 of the offences we found to be committed were fatal four offences and that is far too high.
“I have no doubt that in some of these cases we have prevented serious injury.
“Every driver has a choice. Wearing a seatbelt, using your phone while driving, speeding. They are all illegal, but you have a choice and can make the right one to prevent causalities on our roads.
“It’s up to everyone to take responsibility. We need everyone to work together with us – partner agencies and the public to protect our roads and achieve our Vision Zero Ambition where no-one dies on our roads”.