Proving that sometimes a little height gives you a new perspective, An Garda Síochána has successfully used a truck cab over the past month to spot more than 100 dangerous driving offences. 

The unmarked lorry was first sent out in August as part of operation lompar with a Garda spotter being able to see into cars, vans and HGV cabs to detect driving offences. It is backed up by patrol cars, or unmarked cars, which can then apprehended any drivers spotted braking the rules of the road. The lorry itself also has unrestricted speed and is equipped with blue flashing lights. 

The lorry is being deployed on motorways and dual carriageways around the country, particularly in the Dublin area where traffic volume is greatest. 

The elevated cab position allows the lorry patrol to spot, for example when a driver may be texting while driving, below the eye line from a normal patrol car.  

Other spotted offences include eating on the move, not wearing seatbelts and even looking at laptops and tablets while driving. An Garda Síochána also stress that doing these thing even when sitting in traffic is also an offence as they are major distractions that can lead to collisions.