Surrey Police have hailed an unmarked HGV cab as a “golden ticket” in their efforts to catch reckless drivers, particularly those using mobile phones behind the wheel. The initiative, known as Operation Tramline, has been running nationwide for a decade, allowing officers a high vantage point to monitor behaviour inside vehicles.

Sgt Dan Pascoe, who has led the operation for Surrey and Sussex since 2015, said the initiative is making a difference, with fewer offences being detected in recent years. “The truck gives us a unique and valuable perspective,” he explained. According to National Highways, police forces have used the cab for more than 13,000 hours since the scheme began.

The top offences caught through the operation over the years include failing to wear a seatbelt, recorded 14,861 times, and mobile phone use at the wheel, with 13,553 incidents. In one case, a driver claimed they had to call their new partner because their song had come on the radio. Last month alone, three drivers in Surrey were seen using their phones with no hands on the wheel.

Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “Driving while distracted is not only illegal, it’s extremely dangerous and puts countless lives at risk. The success of Operation Tramline shows just how vital this tool is for road safety.”