A NEW “supercab” allows police to “spy” on drivers using mobile phones and catch dangerous drivers in the act.

Essex Police has drafted in the vehicle in a bid to identify unsafe and distracting behaviour by drivers on major routes across the county.

Last week the force launched “Operation Tramline” and 210 drivers were stopped for offences including mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt.

Essex Police says the height of the vehicles helps officers to look into passing cars and catch drivers breaking the law.

Sgt Jason Dearsley, of the commercial vehicle unit, said: “This week has been busy for us as the team has disappointingly stopped and dealt with 203 offenders, for a wide variety of offences.

“With the change in legislation around mobile phone usage in vehicles we have noticed an increase in mobile phone offences.

“Seatbelt offences were also high with 66 lorry drivers seen not wearing theirs. We reminded these drivers of the injuries sustained from being ejected out of a lorry they are often horrific and lifelong.

“One particularly noteworthy offence was spotted - a lorry driver, driving with his foot up on the dashboard. He was reported for not being in proper control of a vehicle.

“Humans make mistakes but there are easy measures we can take to protect ourselves and support the ambition of Vision Zero.

“The aspiration of zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040 is ambitious, but we all believe it is achievable and operations such as this remind road-users that we all have a part to play.”

The “supercab” was provided by National Highways and is used as part of a national project which aims to reduce crashes, incidents, improve safety, journey time and reliability on major roads.

After an officer has identified an incident from the “supercab”, the message is relayed to police cars and motorbikes which can stop and engage with the driver.

The incident last week included 67 seatbelt offences, 45 offences with mobile phones and seven drivers caught with no insurance.

Roads policing officers from Chigwell, Stanway and the Road Crime Team focused on major roads such as the M11, M25, A12 and A13 last week.