Bin lorry is fitted with spy camera to catch bad drivers
A bin lorry was fitted with CCTV cameras to capture the antics of bad drivers in a crackdown on poor or dangerous driving in Cannock and Rugeley, it emerged today.
The refuse lorry carrying 360-degree camera equipment recorded motorists mounting the pavement to pass the vehicle, narrowly missing binmen working at the rear. The move was part of a two-day operation earlier this month by local police, environment officers from Cannock Chase Council and VOSA, the the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
Roadside checks were done on all types of vehicles at the A5 Longford and Bridgtown areas, and the A460 Slitting Mill, Rugeley.
One lorry was taken off the road and eight other motorists were given prohibition notices for defects.
Fixed-penalty notices and three penalty points were issued to two motorists for using mobiles when driving.
Tickets were handed to three drivers for not wearing seatbelts. And one vehicle was seized as the driver had no insurance.
Stopped
Council officers stopped two scrap collectors who did not have licences, while another driver was ordered to produce a waste transfer notice within 24 hours.
Two near misses were recorded when motorists drove on to pavements to pass the bin vehicle.
Sgt David Edge, from Cannock Chase local policing team, said: "It is important, particularly at this time of year, with poor weather conditions, that drivers ensure their vehicles are in a safe condition."
Councillor Janos Toth, deputy leader of Cannock Chase Council said: "We have been receiving an increasing number of complaints about the disturbance caused by scrap collectors."
