A three-day police operation has uncovered some shocking driving in Lincolnshire, including one man who used his knees to steer his car while typing on his phone with both hands.
Operation Tramline saw officers along with the DVSA in an unmarked lorry peering into other vehicles on the A1 near Grantham.
During the three days, they stopped 19 lorries, a bus and 11 cars which had all committed at least one motoring offence.
In total 49 offences were committed resulting in nine verbal warnings and 33 traffic offence reports which could result in court action.
Ewan Gell, an inspector for the Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Our operation uncovered some very dangerous offences. We witnessed one man steering a car with his knees as he used two hands to type on a mobile phone.
“In another incident, a woman was on her phone, holding it to ear, for several miles travelling at speed even though she had her hands free in the car.
They used an unmarked HGV to uncover some shocking driving.
“We then witnessed a lorry driver take his seat belt off, remove his t-shirt and reach into his bag, get a clean shirt, no doubt to put on before he realised we’d seen him.
“There was also a tired driver that was weaving all over the carriageway and went off the carriageway onto the verge a couple of times before we managed to get him stopped.
“We are always disappointed when people take risks with their lives and other people’s lives, and it is particularly shocking when those drivers are in charge of a large goods vehicle which has the potential to do such huge damage.
“Some of these people also risk their jobs by carrying out these offences.
“Whilst it is pleasing to see that we were able to take positive action against these drivers who flouted the law, it is disappointing that they took the risk in committing the offence in the first place.
“We work around the clock to keep our roads as safe as we possibly can and we will continue with these operations in order to do so.”
Offences spotted were:
Mobile phone – 6
Seatbelt – 23
Speed – 3
Not in control – 10
Construction and use offences – 3
Due care – 2
Excess weight – 1
Drivers’ hours – 1
Operation Tramline is a national operation, supported by NPCC, working in partnership with Highways England.
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The Flying Scotsman toured Lincolnshire as it travelled from London on Saturday through Sleaford, Spalding, Boston, Wainfleet and Skegness (and back later in the evening).
The steam train, built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), is among the most recognisable rail vehicles in history, covering more than two million miles when it was in service.
Mark Suffield captured these great photos of The Flying Scotsman at Sleaford Station on September 25.
People in Lincolnshire returned to queueing at petrol stations on Saturday morning after some motorists are panic buying fuel due to fears of shortages.
Fuel stations in Lincoln, Grantham and across the county are experiencing gridlock queues, prompting Lincolnshire Police to appeal to motorists to stop panic buying, as there is no fuel shortage overall — though some local garages are experiencing low supplies.
“If you impede emergency services and cause unnecessary delays, you are putting lives at risk,” was the message from Lincolnshire Police.
The Shell garage on Manthorpe Rd in Grantham was closed on Saturday morning. | Photo: RSM Photography
The force said in a statement on Saturday morning: “This is a potential hazard for vehicles making other journeys, and may cause difficulties for emergency services trying to reach people in need.
“While we appreciate that some people may be particularly keen to fill up their vehicles this weekend, we would respectfully ask motorists to be sensible when making judgements about joining a queue at a petrol station.
“If it is too long, consider returning at a different time.”
Queues at BP Bridge End Road in Grantham on Saturday. | BP Bridge End Road
Emergency service workers are struggling to get fuel
One Lincolnshire emergency worker wrote to The Lincolnite to tell their experience after a hard day’s work, trying to refuel:
“I am currently on fumes and was unable to refuel [Friday], mainly because after a 13/14 hour shifts often with no break (due to NHS pressures from people abusing the system), working on the ambulances, I barely have the energy to drive home never mind sit in a queue for 30 mins plus for people to refuel unnecessarily (AND THIS INCLUDES WITNESSING PEOPLE FILL UP FUEL CANS – one person filling up their car AND THREE fuel cans).
“My days off are precious to me currently, like a lot of us, so I am going to have to risk getting fuel in the morning of my next shift, when no doubt there will be none available. It’s not just me who’s suffering, what’s next, staff being unable to get to work due to this? People not getting the medical help they need in time? Hospital staff not able to get to work? Police and fire unable to respond to emergencies?
“Come on guys sort, yourselves out and just think about people other than yourself, you should be ashamed!”
“This is the first lockdown all over again where essential workers, emergency service, hospital and care home staff are struggling to get BASIC essentials.
“Why do we bother risking our health and lives for others (we are still in a pandemic) when people cannot even behave normally and not act selfishly — if people bought items as normal there would be no ‘crisis’ as it’s being incorrectly worded, there is enough stock out there on the shelves and in the pumps if people behaved.”
Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault after reports a man grabbed a female bartender with both hands and kissed her on the neck at a Grantham pub.
A man bought a drink at The Old Bank Pub on High Street in Grantham at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 22. After finishing his drink he went to the bar offering to give a tip.
At this point the alleged incident happened and the member of staff pushed away the man while telling him not to touch her.
Lincolnshire Police have now released a photograph of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.
Have you seen this man? | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident 381 of September 22.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A 43-year-old woman from the Sheffield area has sadly died after a crash on the A16 Louth bypass on Saturday.
The collision, which happened close to Hubbard’s Hills between the A153 and A157 roundabouts, was reported to police at 12.12pm on Saturday, September 25.
It involved a grey Skoda Octavia, which was believed to be stationary on the northbound side of the road, and a silver Mitsubishi L200 also thought to be travelling northbound.
A woman, who was a passenger in the Skoda, sadly did not survive her injuries.
The driver of the Skoda was taken to hospital with injuries described as non life-threatening.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to contact them on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident 219 of September 25.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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