25.04.23 – Operation Tramline, Staffordshire Apprentice Graduation Ceremony

100 drivers have been stopped by Staffordshire Police in a five-day period following a road safety operation in Staffordshire.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) have been completing a series of targeted patrols around the county as part of ‘Operation Tramline’.

The initiative is supported by colleagues from National Highways and saw officers record a total of 116 driving offences on the A34, A38, A50, A500 and A449.

Police found 37 motorists who were not wearing a seatbelt and also caught a staggering 27 people on their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel – including a man who was driving a 40-tonne HGV.

A number of other offences were also reported on the operation, including: Four drivers were caught running red lights .. Two drivers were caught speeding … Four drivers did not have an MOT and insurance … Eleven insecure loads …  and Three cars were displaying illegal number plates.

National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Coordinator, Marie Biddulph, said: “We provide these unmarked HGV cabs to our police partners to help spot unsafe driving behaviour. It isn’t about catching people out, it’s about stopping drivers putting themselves and others at risk.

“A good day for us would be a day where no incidents of unsafe driving were recorded – we want people to be safe on our roads.

“From the elevated position in our HGV cabs, police can identify that small minority of people who continue to drive unsafely. We hope the realisation of this fact will make all motorists consider their driving behaviour.”

To read more on the #PhoneFree campaign which launched recently, visit: #PhoneFree | Staffordshire Police

To find out more about National Highways and what you can do to stay safe on the motorway, visit: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/road-safety/driving-on-motorways/

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With just over two months to go to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony, apprentices and employers are being urged to book their place.

Now in its eighth year, the graduation ceremony, which will be held in June at the County Showground, Stafford will celebrate the achievements of the county’s higher level and advanced apprentices.

Last year, almost 100 apprentices took to the stage to celebrate their achievements with their training providers, employers, family and friends., Apprenticeships ranged from Engineering, Beauty, Business Admin, Teaching, Health & Social Care and many others.

Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Skills and Economy at Staffordshire County Council said: “Our graduation ceremony is always a fantastic event that we look forward to each year.   “The afternoon gives us a great opportunity to recognise the huge achievements of our apprentices and to celebrate with their families, training providers and employers.

Apprentices are key to growing our economy and attracting more and better paid jobs to the county.  They not only provide people with a good qualification, good practical experience and a good career path to their ideal job but also give many of our businesses the opportunity to grow their own skilled workforce.

Apprentices can register for the ceremony at www.GraduationCeremony.co.uk and selecting Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Apprenticeship Graduation.  People can also find out more information on the Stoke and Staffordshire Graduation Ceromony Facebook page or by emailing apprenticeship.graduation@staffordshire.gov.uk .