South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
News
20 Jan 2025
National leaders in roads policing
Roads policing officers from our county have topped the leader board regionally for a second year running and nationally for 2024 for their efforts in motorway safety.
More than 1,000 South Yorkshire drivers were prosecuted last year for their dangerous actions on the motorway network.
The result is part of a collaboration with National Highways who provide police forces with an unmarked HGV cab to detect traffic offences in progress. The cab allows officers to see inside vehicles of a greater height as well as those below them.
Two officers staff the cab, one driving and one filming for evidence, with officers in marked vehicles further behind, able to use their lights and sirens to stop drivers identified in committing offences.
Roads Policing Officer PC Rod McEnery said: “The HGV allows us to see inside lorries and larger vehicles, and during my time leading this operation, I have seen some shocking driving, driving that could kill you, kill your family, your friends, or mine.
“I have witnessed drivers with no hands on the wheel trimming their beards, watching TV, steering their vehicles with their knees and on their mobile phones.”
During 2024, officers prosecuted 1,128 drivers, taking the lead nationally from Sussex with 882, and regionally by West Yorkshire Police, with 228.
“We are often met with criticism, saying we are targeting lorry drivers, but it must be acknowledged that these vehicles pose a greater danger with their size and weight,” added PC McEnery.
“Drivers of these vehicles must accept that responsibly and not pose further risks with dangerous behaviour.
“It’s not just those in larger vehicles that we prosecute, the cab also provides a vantage point into cars and those drivers who think they won’t be caught hiding their mobile phone on their lap or down the side of their door, can clearly be seen.
“All these acts can kill. Everyone has a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Give the road your full attention.”
In 2023, 39 people lost their lives in a collision on South Yorkshire roads and a further 802 were seriously injured.
South Yorkshire Police is part of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership – working together to end all deaths on our region’s roads.
More than 1,000 South Yorkshire drivers were prosecuted last year for their dangerous actions on the motorway network.
The result is part of a collaboration with National Highways who provide police forces with an unmarked HGV cab to detect traffic offences in progress. The cab allows officers to see inside vehicles of a greater height as well as those below them.
Two officers staff the cab, one driving and one filming for evidence, with officers in marked vehicles further behind, able to use their lights and sirens to stop drivers identified in committing offences.
Roads Policing Officer PC Rod McEnery said: “The HGV allows us to see inside lorries and larger vehicles, and during my time leading this operation, I have seen some shocking driving, driving that could kill you, kill your family, your friends, or mine.
“I have witnessed drivers with no hands on the wheel trimming their beards, watching TV, steering their vehicles with their knees and on their mobile phones.”
During 2024, officers prosecuted 1,128 drivers, taking the lead nationally from Sussex with 882, and regionally by West Yorkshire Police, with 228.
“We are often met with criticism, saying we are targeting lorry drivers, but it must be acknowledged that these vehicles pose a greater danger with their size and weight,” added PC McEnery.
“Drivers of these vehicles must accept that responsibly and not pose further risks with dangerous behaviour.
“It’s not just those in larger vehicles that we prosecute, the cab also provides a vantage point into cars and those drivers who think they won’t be caught hiding their mobile phone on their lap or down the side of their door, can clearly be seen.
“All these acts can kill. Everyone has a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Give the road your full attention.”
In 2023, 39 people lost their lives in a collision on South Yorkshire roads and a further 802 were seriously injured.
South Yorkshire Police is part of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership – working together to end all deaths on our region’s roads.
