This month’s article on Operation Tramline was written by Richard Frost, formerly of National Highways.

Tackling dangerous driving behaviours

Every day, millions of journeys are completed safely on the strategic road network. Most drivers behave responsibly and take their responsibilities seriously. However, a small minority continue to engage in dangerous behaviours that put themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk.

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, officers gain a higher vantage point, allowing them to identify dangerous driver behaviours on the strategic road network.

Since launching in 2015, the initiative has helped police stop 56,152 vehicles and identify 61,120 driving offences.

Why fleet managers should take notice

Many of the offences Operation Tramline identifies relate to driver behaviour, distraction or complacency. This reinforces the importance of maintaining a strong safety culture, where drivers understand both their responsibilities and the consequences of unsafe behaviour.

As a fleet manager, you have a key role in helping drivers make safe choices every time they get behind the wheel. Effective driver management is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting people, reducing risk, and ensuring everyone gets home safe and well.

Key responsibilities for fleet managers:

• Ensuring all drivers are trained and aware of the consequences of unsafe driving, not just for themselves, but those that they share the roads with.
• Reviewing internal policies on mobile phone use, seatbelt compliance, and other unsafe driving behaviours.
• Monitoring driver behaviour through telematics, dashcams, and regular assessments.
• Taking swift action when unsafe practices are identified, as well as recognising good driving behaviours.

What Operation Tramline is seeing

During deployments, common offences identified by officers include:

• Failure to wear seatbelts (16,904*) – a basic safety measure often ignored
• Mobile phone use while driving (16,560*) – one of the most common and dangerous distractions
• Not in proper control of the vehicle (3,279*) – including eating, reading or adjusting devices
• Speeding (2,360*) – aggressive driving that increases collision risk
• Driving under the influence (364*) – minority but extremely serious

*All data is correct up to 4 August 2026

These offences are not minor infractions. They represent a clear and present danger to other road users and carry significant penalties – including fines, penalty points, disqualification and imprisonment.

The business impact of dangerous driving behaviours

For employers, unsafe driving and preventable incidents don’t just affect road safety. They can have a significant impact on people, operations, and business performance, including:

• Legal liability: Employers can be held accountable for the actions of their drivers.
• Reputation damage: Incidents involving branded vehicles can quickly attract unwanted attention and damage customer trust.
• Operational disruption: Incidents can lead to downtime, missed deliveries, and increased administration.
• Financial cost: Insurance claims, vehicle repairs, fines, loss of business, legal fees, and increased premiums can quickly add up.

Operation Tramline is a reminder that proactive fleet safety isn’t optional. It’s an essential part of managing risk and protecting both your people and the business.

Legal responsibilities

Employers have a duty of care to manage work-related road risk and ensure employees who drive for work can do so safely. This includes:

• Conducting regular risk assessments
• Providing appropriate information, training and supervision
• Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and fit for purpose
• Investigating and addressing incidents or complaints

Operation Tramline demonstrates that unsafe driving behaviours continue to take place on the strategic road network. The most effective organisations don’t wait for enforcement activity to identify issues – they take a proactive approach to managing risk.

Resources to support your drivers

Explaining how Operation Tramline works provides a useful opportunity to re-engage your drivers on safe practices. For example, you could:

• Deliver a toolbox talk on distraction, control, and compliance
• Share examples from Operation Tramline footage to highlight real-world risks
• Display posters and reminders in depots and vehicles to reinforce key messages
• Encourage drivers to discuss challenges they face on the roads
• Recognise safe driving behaviours

National Highways and Driving for Better Business provide resources, including downloadable guides, videos, and case studies to help organisations improve driver safety performance.

 What you can do this month

Action checklist for fleet managers:

• Review your driver behaviour policy
• Schedule a toolbox talk on driver distraction and control
• Share an Operation Tramline case study with drivers
• Review telematics data for signs of risky behaviour
• Check your driver training materials remain up to date
• Recognise and celebrate safe driving

Final thought – Operation Tramline

Operation Tramline is an important reminder that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Most drivers do the right thing, but even a momentary lapse in concentration can have life-changing consequences. By promoting safe behaviours, supporting drivers, and actively managing road risk, fleet operators can help create a safer road network for all.