Police Using Unmarked Lorries in South Yorkshire
Lorry drivers in South Yorkshire are being monitored in a new way by police on the roads, from the cab of a Scania truck!
According to the BBC, South Yorkshire Police have taken to the roads in a new vehicle. An unmarked Scania large goods vehicle, with the speed limiter removed in case of the need for speed, is being used as part of a crackdown. A police officer sits in the passenger seat and can see into the cabs of lorries, enabling the police to ensure vehicle are being driven safely. The height of the lorry cab allows for an improved field of vision that is not available from a police car, cameras are used to record behaviour and patrol cars can be called in to to do any pulling over of offenders.
The crackdown lasted a week and South Yorkshire Police pulled over 50 drivers in the crackdown, including one man who was caught resting his foot on the dashboard whilst driving a HGV. The Scania lorry has travelled across some of South Yorkshire's busiest roads, including the M1, M18 and A1. The police have said they will use the tactic again.
We don't know whether this will be extended to other police forces around the country, but perhaps truck drivers should keep an eye open!
