A MONTH of action to improve the safety of the M62 will begin this week.

It is hoped that 'Operation Pennine' will reduce the number of incidents on the stretch of motorway which runs between Liverpool and Hull.

There is an average of five crashes a day along the 107-mile route which leads to congestion and delays for drivers.

Enforcement agencies will carry out checks on vans and lorries, secure loads, weight and drivers' hours to reduce the risk of incidents along the route.

Police forces will also use one of Highways England’s unmarked HGV supercabs to record drivers in any vehicle committing mobile phone or other safety offences while travelling along the M62.

John Walford, incident prevention manager at Highways England, said: “Over 100,000 drivers travel over the Pennines every day, ranging from commuters getting to work to haulage firms delivering goods along the route or overseas.

“The vast majority of drivers obey the law but a few are risking potentially devastating consequences by not carrying out appropriate checks before setting off or by driving dangerously.

“Our month of action will see enforcement agencies carrying out checks along the M62 and at the ports in Liverpool, Hull and Immingham to help improve safety for everyone.”

The month of activity, which will run until Friday, October 18, follows the success of a similar safety week on the M1 earlier this year which led to the number of collisions falling by almost a third.

Head of enforcement at DVSA, Laura Great-Rex said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

"There is no excuse for driving tired or driving a dangerous lorry and we will not hesitate in taking action against those who flout the law.

“By working with the police and Highways England and sharing intelligence we help make Britain’s roads even safer.”

The month of action is being co-ordinated by Highways England and involves police forces from Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Humberside as well as the Port of Liverpool Police.

Martin Humphreys, chief officer at the Port of Liverpool Police, said: “All our officers are trained to the highest standards to ensure that drivers, vehicles and their loads are operating safely.

“The Port of Liverpool Police will be actively engaged with our partner agencies during the month-long Operation Pennine.

"I would advise all drivers to ensure that when entering or leaving the port they are fit to drive, and their vehicles are in a safe condition to continue their journey.”