Operation to crack down on mobile phone use –M25

Thames Valley Police has taken part in an operation to crack down on mobile phone use and other driving offences on the M25.

Between Monday 7 November 2022 and Friday 11 November 2022, officers from the Roads Policing and Commercial Vehicle Unit patrolled the M25.

A lorry was used in order to spot drivers using their mobile phones, not wearing a seatbelt, or driving carelessly or inconsiderately.

RP Officer and the lorry used in Op Orbital.

It was part of a national operation called Op Orbital run by National Highways.

In total 258 separate offences were identified and 165 vehicles stopped. The majority of the offences were dealt with by ticket. The fine for using your phone while driving is £200 and 6 points on your license.

The breakdown of the offenses were:

• 84 drivers driving whilst distracted. Four were watching moving images whilst driving. Many were interacting with phones instead of looking at the road ahead.
• 5 vehicles were dealt with for no Insurance
• 12 drivers were dealt with for careless or inconsiderate driving
• 7 drivers were dealt with for ignoring Red X signs
• 15 vehicles were dealt with for insecure loads
• 20 drivers were dealt with for driving on the hatchings or verge
• 14 drivers had no seatbelt
• 13 trucks had poorly adjusted mirrors

Police Sergeant Paul Diamond in charge of the Thames Valley element of the operation and part of the Joint Operations Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Distracted and inconsiderate driving has been shown as responsible for a significant number of incidents on the motorway network causing congestion, injuries and death. Thames Valley Roads Policing Department are committed to reducing casualties from these unnecessary incidents and in prosecuting drivers pro-actively before their actions injure others on the road.

“I would like to thank our partners National Highways and our partner Forces, additionally I would like to thank HTC Reading, who provided technical and mechanical support for the operation, as well Event Technology Group Brands, who provided the lorry to be used in the operation. Both companies provided support at no cost to the taxpayer and helped us to target drivers putting others at risk. 

“We continue to deliver our message that we can’t be everywhere but we could be anywhere.

“We will be using other forms of covert vehicle in the near future. Drivers using the M25 can be reassured that we will do all we can to prosecute those that put them at risk as they travel.”

GFL