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Police using unmarked lorry to catch out drivers on some of Wales’ busiest roads

Key Points

• The North Wales Police used an unmarked elevated HGV cab as one of the measures under Operation Tramline to survey motorists on the A55, A483 and A494.
• More than 30 cars were stopped and fines were imposed for violations such as use of mobile phones, failure to wear seatbelts and poorly secured loads.
• Mobile phone use among professionals including HGV and LGV drivers was cited by officers as being a serious problem.
• According to National Highways, studies show that using a mobile phone quadruples the risk of a motorist being in an accident.
• The police appealed to motorists to ensure their seatbelts are fastened, loads are secured and mobile phones are not used while driving.

Wales (Wales Times) September 18, 2026 — Officers from North uk/police/">Wales Police’s Roads Crime Unit have stopped more than 30 vehicles and issued tickets and graduated fixed penalty notices for a range of road safety offences during the latest activity as part of Operation Tramline, using an elevated HGV cab to gain a better view into vehicles on the A55, A483 and A494.

What offences were detected during the Operation Tramline deployment?

As reported by journalists covering North Wales Police’s statement, the force said offences detected earlier this month on the A55, the A483 and the A494 included drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, failing to wear a seatbelt and vehicles carrying insecure loads. Officers also continued to observe mobile phone use among drivers of larger vehicles, including HGVs and LGVs. The operation, which uses an elevated HGV cab to give officers a better view into vehicles, has once again highlighted the dangerous behaviour taking place on the roads of North Wales, according to the police statement.

How does Operation Tramline work and why is the elevated HGV used?

Operation Tramline is a long-running road safety initiative led by National Highways in partnership with police forces across England and Wales, using HGV cabs to provide a higher vantage point that allows officers to identify dangerous driver behaviours on the strategic road network. Since launching in 2015, the initiative has helped police stop more than 55,000 vehicles and identify more than 61,000 driving offences, with common offences including failure to wear seatbelts, mobile phone use while driving, not being in proper control of the vehicle, speeding and driving under the influence. In the North Wales deployment, the elevated position allowed officers to spot offences they might otherwise not have been able to see, including mobile phone, seatbelt and other driving offences.

What did North Wales Police say about the latest crackdown?

In a statement released on Thursday, North Wales Police noted that members of the roads crime unit halted over 30 vehicles and issued citations and graduated fixed penalty notices for various road safety violations during the latest phase of Operation Tramline. The force said the operation, utilizing an elevated HGV cab for improved visibility, had once again underscored the perilous behaviours occurring on the roads of north Wales. Among the infractions recorded on the A55, the A483, and the A494 earlier this month were instances of drivers using mobile devices while driving, neglecting to wear seatbelts, and transporting unsecured loads. Officers have also noted mobile phone usage among operators of larger vehicles, including HGVs and LGVs.

What warnings were issued by Sergeant Danny Rees?

Sergeant Danny Rees from the Roads Crime Unit expressed disappointment that drivers continue to put themselves and other road users at risk through behaviour that is entirely avoidable. He said it was particularly concerning that professional drivers, including HGV and LGV drivers, continue to use mobile phones whilst driving.

“When you are behind the wheel, your attention should be on the road. A phone call, message or notification can wait. Your safety, and the safety of everyone else using the road, cannot,”

Sergeant Rees said. He added that Operation Tramline gives officers an excellent vantage point to identify dangerous behaviour, and that the force will continue to take action where drivers put themselves and others at risk.

What did National Highways say about phone use and road safety?

Marie Biddulph, regional safety programme manager for National Highways, said the majority of people who use the roads drive safely but there remains a minority who continue to put themselves and others at risk. She said research shows a driver is four times more likely to be in a crash if they use their phone. “We all need to play our part in keeping our roads as safe as they can be,” Biddulph said, adding that National Highways will continue to work with police partners through initiatives such as Operation Tramline to encourage road users to think about their driving behaviours.

What advice did police give to drivers after the operation?

North Wales Police reminded all drivers to make sure they are properly secured by their seatbelt, that any load is safely and securely restrained, and that mobile phones are put away before setting off. Drivers were also reminded that the rules apply whether they are driving a car, van, LGV or HGV. The force said using a mobile phone whilst driving can mean a driver is distracted at the very moment they need to concentrate on the road, particularly putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.

Background to the development

Operation Tramline has been used repeatedly in North Wales, with previous deployments on the same routes resulting in dozens of drivers being caught for mobile phone and seatbelt offences. The initiative is part of a wider national effort, with other forces such as Staffordshire Police reporting more than 1,000 offences identified through the same HGV-cab method in recent weeks. The use of an unmarked, elevated lorry allows officers to observe behaviour that is difficult to detect from standard patrol cars, particularly in high-sided vehicles and on busy dual carriageways such as the A55.

Prediction: how this development can affect drivers and professional operators in North Wales

The continued use of unmarked HGV cabs on the A55, A483 and A494 is likely to increase detection of mobile phone and seatbelt offences among both private motorists and professional drivers, potentially leading to more fixed penalties, points on licences and, in serious cases, prosecutions. For HGV and LGV operators, repeated offences could trigger employer sanctions, fleet reviews and additional training requirements, given the heightened scrutiny of professional drivers noted by Sergeant Rees. Over time, the visible presence of Operation Tramline may deter some risky behaviours, but it could also prompt complaints from drivers who feel targeted, particularly if enforcement is perceived as focused on specific routes or vehicle types.