Police catch more than 30 distracted drivers in bus-based road safety crackdown

Thursday, 29 May 2025 11:43

By David Murphy

A hidden operation onboard a Bee Network bus led to more than 30 drivers being caught breaking the law in just two hours, as Greater Manchester Police clamp down on road dangers

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has revealed that over 30 motorists were caught in just two hours during a road safety operation that used a Bee Network bus as a covert observation post.

The initiative, known as Operation Top Deck, took place on 13 May and saw specially trained officers board a Diamond Bus vehicle to film drivers from an elevated vantage point. From this position, officers captured video evidence of offences including mobile phone use, seat belt violations and lane breaches.

Seventeen drivers were seen using a mobile phone, with one found holding a phone in each hand. Seven were spotted not wearing seat belts, including incidents involving young children. Officers also recorded seven cases of vehicles crossing solid white lines and one vehicle with a number plate violation.

Once offences were identified, GMP’s Motorcycle Unit moved in to stop the vehicles and take immediate action. Some drivers were issued with Traffic Offence Reports on the spot, while others will receive Notices of Intended Prosecution through the post.

Inspector Bradley Ormesher from GMP’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Distractions can cost lives and cause serious injury, and we will never take offences lightly. If you are on your phone, not wearing a seat belt or driving without due care and attention, you are breaking the law – and we will take action.”

The initiative supports Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero pledge to eliminate deaths and life-changing injuries on roads by 2040. It follows a broader clampdown by GMP on the so-called Fatal Four driving offences – drink or drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding and not wearing seat belts.

Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey attended the operation and highlighted the dangers of distracted driving: “Drivers who use their mobile phones are four times more likely to crash. This initiative shows just how serious the police are about making roads safer.”

Dame Sarah urged residents to report dangerous driving via GMP’s Operation Snap portal, which allows the public to upload dashcam or cycle footage.

Operation Top Deck is modelled after National Highways’ Operation Tramline, which places officers inside lorries to detect rule-breaking. That scheme has led to over 51,000 offences being recorded since 2015.

According to GMP, driver distraction was a contributing factor in more than 1,170 road incidents in Greater Manchester between 2014 and 2024, with 117 resulting in serious collisions and 17 ending in fatalities.

In a previous five-week trial, over 3,200 drivers in the region were caught using a phone or not wearing a seatbelt using state-of-the-art roadside cameras. Police believe the real figures are likely much higher due to underreporting.

Inspector Ormesher added: “Our new operation targets peak periods for maximum impact. The message is clear, we are watching, and we will act to protect all road users.”

To report unsafe driving, call 101 or 999 in emergencies, or visit the Operation Snap portal on the GMP website.