Police catch a cab to put brakes on 63 careless drivers

Roads policing officers at South Wales Police stopped 63 vehicles last week as part of an operation to tackle illegal driving in south Wales.

They joined forces with National Highways and the Drivers Vehicle Standards Agency in the week-long operation which began on Monday, March 16, and ended on Thursday, March 19.

A heavy goods vehicle (HGV) provided by National Highways was used by officers to keep an eye on drivers - the elevated seated position in a HGV cabin being ideal for officers to see into vehicles and spot unsafe driving behaviour.

A total of 63 vehicles were stopped; the majority were for drivers using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt, but a wide range of other offences such as driving without insurance, without an MOT or road tax, and other vehicle defects, were also detected.

Inspector Michael Prickett, said: “Whilst most people drive responsibly, others continue to put themselves, their passengers, and other road users at serious risk. A vehicle is a lethal weapon in irresponsible hands and anyone who is not in full control while driving is putting lives at risk. There are far too many serious injuries and deaths on our roads and negligence on the part of drivers is an all too frequent factor."

In 2025, over 150 people were seriously injured and 20 people tragically died as a result of a road traffic collision on the roads of south Wales.

Inspector Prickett added: “The operation targeted those drivers and operators who neglect road safety legislation and environmental standards. It enables us to send a strong message that we are on the look-out and it won’t be tolerated.”

Last week’s operation was first of the year. It is the eleventh year that Operation Tramline has been running in places across the UK.