0:00:02 > 0:00:04The A1 - Britain's longest road.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Stretching almost 400 miles from the City of London
0:00:09 > 0:00:11to the heart of the Scottish capital.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Connecting two nations and passing through 18 counties,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19it's an unrivalled highway used by
0:00:19 > 0:00:21hundreds of thousands of vehicles every day.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24We're going southbound down the A1
0:00:24 > 0:00:26on the northbound carriageway.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29But not all journeys go to plan.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30TYRES SCREECH
0:00:32 > 0:00:35I thought, "I'm going to lose my life."
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Cars are coming close. It is a dangerous place to be.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Lives can hang in the balance.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43The rear end of that vehicle, it's unrecognisable.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46This is actually the bodywork of the car.
0:00:47 > 0:00:4924 hours a day...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It's not a safe place here.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53..there's a team of people who keep us safe from harm.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56The police...
0:00:58 > 0:00:59..response teams...
0:00:59 > 0:01:01We don't know whether they've got the road closed,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- we don't know what's happened. - ..and traffic officers...
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Keep going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11..keeping Britain's most iconic road...
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- Get out!- ..on the move.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14CAR HORN BLARES
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Substantially damaged flatbed truck in lane two.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The A1, the monster that it is, it'll start returning to normal.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Coming up....
0:01:26 > 0:01:27SIREN WAILS
0:01:27 > 0:01:30..police pull a suspected stolen car.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32We've had a report this car is stolen.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And its driver lands in double trouble.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Have you been drinking, mate? I can smell drink on you.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40A truck breakdown...
0:01:40 > 0:01:42We've got a live lane coming out here.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Just watch traffic coming there.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45..puts lives on the line.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Keep going! Steady!
0:01:49 > 0:01:50Hello!
0:01:50 > 0:01:55And the restaurant girls who serve up specials every day for A1 motorists.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Yeah, they make you feel really welcome. That's why you keep coming back.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The Great North Road passes through 18 different counties,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10more than any other highway in the UK.
0:02:13 > 0:02:1615 different police forces patrol it.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20One of their key roles is to crack down on those using the road
0:02:20 > 0:02:22to plan and carry out crimes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Just south of Newcastle,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30PC Alan Keenleyside is lying in wait for the latest suspect.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36We're on the A1, we've got a vehicle over on the A19.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39So we're trying to shut off any access south.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Alan has intelligence to suggest
0:02:41 > 0:02:44a suspected stolen car is heading south
0:02:44 > 0:02:48on the A1, but tonight visibility could hamper the operation.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The problem is, with the traffic this time of night,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53it's quite hard to spot registration numbers.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's a very dirty time of year.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The salt and things on the roads.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04But even in the gloom of a wet winter night...
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Yeah, I think it's just gone past us.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07It was Alpha-Foxtrot.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09..Alan's eyes don't let him down.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It was a little Fiesta, looked like red or orange,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16starting A-F. That's all I saw.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Southbound. I'm just trying to see where it's gone.
0:03:23 > 0:03:2712-34, it was one of around 12, 15 vehicles
0:03:27 > 0:03:29that went past in a batch.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I certainly can't see it. I'm just heading towards the 690 now.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Alan needs to check the registration plate with the control room
0:03:38 > 0:03:41to confirm that he has the right car.
0:03:42 > 0:03:4412-34, Alpha-Foxtrot-One-Five.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Yeah, that could be it. Southbound, approaching 690.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53No attempt to stop. Low risk. Speed seven-zero.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58It's definitely the right car, but Alan has to wait to make his move.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Backup is en route, but if this driver gets spooked,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04it could end in a risky high-speed chase.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Weather's dry. He's moved to lane two, back into lane one.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Approaching the one-mile marker for the 690.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Then, as the car turns off the A1...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18MUFFLED RADIO MESSAGE
0:04:18 > 0:04:21..Alan gets a break.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Approaching red light now at the 690.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28That's him there.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30SIREN WAILS
0:04:36 > 0:04:38All right.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Stand slack, all right?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Take a seat in my car, momentarily, all right?
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Good man.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50We've had a report that this car is stolen.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- All right?- Stolen?!- Yeah.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55All right, take a seat, we'll find out what's going on.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Driver's detained.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Vehicle stopped. No injuries, no damage.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Have you got the keys, bud?
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Erm, aye, it's a keyless entry thing.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Keyless entry. Two seconds.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10We'll sort it. We'll get around
0:05:10 > 0:05:12off the slip road and we'll sort it there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17To minimise disruption to the A1,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21the suspected stolen car needs to be moved to a quieter location.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26What's your occupation? What's your job?
0:05:28 > 0:05:29Unemployed.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But then, as Alan starts to question the driver,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37he becomes aware of another potential breach of the law.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Have you been drinking, mate?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Mm?- I smell alcohol on you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I'm not saying you're over the limit.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45All I'm saying is, I can smell drink on you.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46- All right.- OK?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The officers have pulled off a textbook interception tonight.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55But stopping the driver is only the beginning.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57I'm going to caution you. You do not have to say anything but it may harm
0:05:57 > 0:06:00your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which
0:06:00 > 0:06:03you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05I now require you to provide a specimen of breath,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08as I have reasonable cause to suspect you of driving
0:06:08 > 0:06:10a motor vehicle having alcohol in your body.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And that's because I can smell intoxicating liquor on your breath.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Alan now has not only a potential stolen car to deal with,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20but a drink-driver, too.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It's going to be a testing shift.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Statistically, there is an increased risk of being involved in
0:06:29 > 0:06:33a serious accident on the A1 in wet and foggy conditions.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35It means traffic officers need to be
0:06:35 > 0:06:39extra vigilant when patrolling in bad weather.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Now, in South Yorkshire,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Paul Day and Rob Larkin
0:06:44 > 0:06:49are battling through a miserable January rush hour.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50One-three.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53We're just passing the Texaco garage, 38-39.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54On the Alpha - over.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56'One-Three, we've had an update from the police,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59'the driver of the LGV was apparently out in the carriageway.'
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Weather conditions today are dark, wet, raining,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04and a bit of spray on the road as well,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07so it's making visibility quite limited.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13As day breaks, they receive a report
0:07:13 > 0:07:16that a broken-down lorry is blocking the southbound carriageway
0:07:16 > 0:07:20just past the junction for the M62.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25We've got a further report now that it's a container wagon in lane one.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Officers deal with around 4,500 breakdowns a year.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34A third of them are where a vehicle stops in a live lane,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38posing a real danger to all other motorists.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39No traffic, no hard shoulder.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45So what we do is we set it up, ready for a lane stop.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48And...there it is.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Charlie-Echo-One-Three.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58We've got a live lane coming out here.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Just watch traffic coming there. Yeah?
0:08:00 > 0:08:02With traffic building quickly,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05it's vital the officers work as fast as possible.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The rain and poor visibility are only making matters worse.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- 'Ey up, drive?- Morning.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14What's wrong with it, mate?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17What we'll do...
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Leave it running.- Yep.- We'll come round the front of you,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22we'll get somebody round the front of you
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and we'll get you onto the hard shoulder, clear this lane.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Hotel-Alpha-Charlie-Echo-One-Three.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30This vehicle's gearbox has failed.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34He does have air. Do we have a second unit can come and help us?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Rob and Paul are under pressure to reopen the lane.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42A recovery truck is en route, but that could waste valuable time.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45So a backup Highways England vehicle is the quickest option.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48If you stay in your cab, we'll sort it out.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I'll give you the thumbs up when he's ready.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Knock your brake off and we're going there.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56The other officers arrive within minutes,
0:08:56 > 0:09:01meaning the stranded lorry can be moved out of harm's way.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Keep going. Steady.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Probably 40 tonne. Shifted nice and easy.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20He's just talking to his boss now for a recovery.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22We'll wait for that. And he'll get back to us in a second.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27With the lorry shifted and recovery en route,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Paul and Rob can now concentrate on getting the traffic flowing again.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Hotel-Alpha-Charlie-Echo-One-Three. We can go back to 42 as well.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Thanks to Charlie-Xray-One-Two.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Keep your eye on traffic behind you. Don't want owt to go wrong.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43- Right.- All right?- That's OK.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- Are you happy? - Thanks for your help.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48No worries, cock. Thank you.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50With the road reopened and traffic flowing,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52there's just one thing left to do.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56HE HONKS HORN
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Translated - "Put your hazard lights on!"
0:10:00 > 0:10:03But the lorry driver doesn't understand.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11It's been a successful morning.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13He's got it, by Jove.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Rob and Paul's swift action means the A1 has been reopened within
0:10:16 > 0:10:2020 minutes, and the result is the danger for drivers
0:10:20 > 0:10:22has been kept to a minimum.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Last year, more than 500 vehicles were stolen across
0:10:34 > 0:10:36the Northumbria Police area.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Just off the A1, ten miles south of Newcastle,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43officers are still dealing with a car that's been reported as stolen.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45You're not under arrest, all right?
0:10:45 > 0:10:48You're detained until we can find out what's gone on.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50But PC Alan Keenleyside also believes
0:10:50 > 0:10:52the suspect may have been drinking,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55so wants to conduct a breathalyser.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58But while he's sitting in the police car on his own,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01the driver puts something in his mouth.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06What have you just put in your mouth?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08A pound coin? Why?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11There's a common myth that sucking on a coin can change
0:11:11 > 0:11:13the alcohol reading on the test.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16You've just swallowed a pound coin?
0:11:16 > 0:11:17So is it for the drink?
0:11:18 > 0:11:19ALAN LAUGHS
0:11:19 > 0:11:21After reading the suspect his rights,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Alan conducts the breathalyser.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Blow nicely into that. After three or four seconds you'll hear
0:11:27 > 0:11:29an audible click and I'll tell you to stop.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Blow. Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going...
0:11:33 > 0:11:34Stop! Well done.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35BREATHALYSER BLEEPS
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- You've failed.- 48?
0:11:37 > 0:11:3948. The legal limit's 35.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43You are not much over but you're over.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47The legal limit's 35. You've blown 48.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49The breath test indicates the proportion of alcohol
0:11:49 > 0:11:51in your breath exceeds the prescribed limit.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I'm arresting you and taking you to...
0:11:54 > 0:11:55Durham?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Joe, where's the nearest police station?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59South Shields.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Although the car was reported as stolen a few weeks ago,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06the driver claims he got it from his parents as a Christmas present.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10At the minute, it is. At the minute,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13we've got to think that car's stolen.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15My control room operator has told me it's a stolen car.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Right? We'll crack on and make those inquiries
0:12:18 > 0:12:21while we're processing you in custody.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25As the suspect is taken away, Alan searches the car.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30This receipt here is from the 10th of the 1st 2016.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Over a year old and that was in there.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Now, if this vehicle had been legitimately sold,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38it's very rare that you find receipts
0:12:38 > 0:12:40and bits of paperwork left from the previous owner.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42If it's legitimately sold,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44it's generally stripped of everything.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46You know? So, erm, yeah.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48We'll leave all this here. We've had a quick look.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53And this will be uplifted and taken back to our secure pound,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57and we'll do some further inquiries about it.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00The suspected stolen car will now be seized
0:13:00 > 0:13:03until police can establish who it really does belong to.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Stolen property. It's always nice to get that property returned
0:13:09 > 0:13:11to the rightful owners. There's pretty much
0:13:11 > 0:13:13nothing more satisfying than that.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14For Alan and the other officers,
0:13:14 > 0:13:19it's been a successful operation all round.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I've just contacted my colleagues
0:13:21 > 0:13:23that took the driver of the vehicle into custody
0:13:23 > 0:13:27following his failed breath test at the roadside.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31The legal limit's 35. He blew 48.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34But, actually, by the time you get to custody,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36sometimes 48 was right on that level where
0:13:36 > 0:13:38it's likely - if he's coming down,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40if it's been a while since he had a drink -
0:13:40 > 0:13:42that level could be coming down to a point
0:13:42 > 0:13:45where no further action's going to be taken against him.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47However, in this particular case,
0:13:47 > 0:13:49it appears he's actually going the other way.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51So he's recently had a drink,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54his alcohol level's continuing to climb,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and I think my colleague said he'd blown 57 in custody.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02So that's a good, firm charge for driving with alcohol level
0:14:02 > 0:14:04above the limit.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07We see the fatal road accidents.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We see the misery that drink-drivers,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12drug-drivers bring to families.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14So, actually, to catch a drink-driver,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16to get them off the street,
0:14:16 > 0:14:17to get them in front of the courts,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20it's hugely rewarding for any traffic cop,
0:14:20 > 0:14:21anywhere in this country.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27On the A1 south of Retford in Nottinghamshire,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29it's the start of a busy afternoon
0:14:29 > 0:14:33at one of Britain's most iconic roadside restaurants.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Ashley, Danielle and Mary have all got
0:14:41 > 0:14:43plenty of Little Chef experience.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Are you all right today, love?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Yeah, are you? What time are you on till?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Three. What time are you on?
0:14:49 > 0:14:50- Eight.- Oh, unlucky.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52THEY LAUGH
0:14:54 > 0:14:56I left school when I was 16.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I actually applied for the Burger King.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00There used to be a Burger King next door,
0:15:00 > 0:15:01but then they asked me to come into here
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and I've been here ever since.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Love it.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12It's just so nice cos you don't think,
0:15:12 > 0:15:13"Oh, God, I've got to go to work."
0:15:13 > 0:15:16You're just on with your friends.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18I fit in there perfect.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22My dream job would be to be 6'2" and be a model.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25But I'm not even five foot. There's not much that people can do
0:15:25 > 0:15:28when you're this size. When you're getting mistaken
0:15:28 > 0:15:30for a nine-year-old girl.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38The restaurant caters for more than 45,000 A1 users every year.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41The A1 is literally there.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45When there's accidents outside, or the road gets really busy,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47we seem to find that everyone comes in here
0:15:47 > 0:15:50because they don't want to sit in the traffic or whatever.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54There's always accidents. Always. No matter what.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56The A1 is always having them.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02And there's one dish the waitresses serve more than any other.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Olympic.- Nearly 2,000 a day across the country.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07There you go.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Our most popular meal on the menu is an Olympic Breakfast.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Prince Harry, was it? It was in the paper.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18When he'd gone to one of the Little Chefs
0:16:18 > 0:16:20just for an Olympic Breakfast.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22So, obviously, we are quite famous for that.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Bacon, bacon, egg, beans and beans.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I can be cooking about 1,000 Olympics a day sometimes.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31It feels like that, anyway. Doesn't it, Mary?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35If you get an Olympic at night, say, like, quarter to ten at night,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38they just walk in and want an Olympic breakfast.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40It's like...
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- Mary's like, "You could have had a jacket potato."- Yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49It's just one of the dishes that attract many A1 regulars.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Thank you very much, Ashley.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54It's OK, my sweet pea. We've got quite a few regulars.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Table three. They're regulars.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Danielle's friend, the lady, she comes in to have a chicken platter.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Mr Bruce either has his scampi or his gammon.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Oh, look, back again.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Will always has a Jubilee Pancake at night-time.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Or he'll have a banana split. And he makes us do the banana split.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And he's so picky. He likes his banana split down the middle,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17with three lumps of ice cream and squirty...
0:17:17 > 0:17:18He's so picky. He's SO picky.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Pass this Little Chef every day going to and from work,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25so it's handy to call in.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Breakfast, dinner, and tea sometimes.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- Hello, my dear.- And Ashley's front-of-house charm works wonders.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Got to know them now. Especially Ashley.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37She is really funny. Really funny.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Have a lot of banter with her.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So posh.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42'Yeah, they make you feel really welcome.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44'That's why you keep coming back.'
0:17:44 > 0:17:45Hello!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I mainly, like, sit people down,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52take their orders and have just, like, general chitchat with them.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Which ends up not general chitchat, it ends up like gossip.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- So much gossip.- Everyone who comes in asks for Ashley because,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03obviously, she's the face of the place.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Do you want toast or fried bread?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09They never know my name, because I'm always in here.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I have to make sure she's on duty when we're coming up.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16So... But it just breaks up the journey.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20There was a guy that come in a couple of weeks ago and he was like,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22"Is Ashley not here?" And he was like,
0:18:22 > 0:18:23"Tell her I've been asking about her
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- "and I'll pop down soon to see her."- Don't make me blush.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28LAUGHTER
0:18:28 > 0:18:31He seemed to know you. He seemed to know you pretty well.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I can't remember, there's been that many.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41And despite the busy shifts,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44working at the restaurant is a job the girls love.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Once, when you took...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51You went over to take an order and the person said...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53He was having a go at his kid for not revising,
0:18:53 > 0:18:54and he said,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58"You've got to revise otherwise you'll end up somewhere like this."
0:18:58 > 0:19:00THEATRICAL GASP
0:19:00 > 0:19:01I've got everything that I want.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Don't we drive nice cars? - We don't go without.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06No, we don't go without. So it's a perfect job to have, I think.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11You get good days and bad days, obviously.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14But I probably wouldn't have done it for ten years
0:19:14 > 0:19:15if I thought it was that bad, would I?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21More than 100 times a year,
0:19:21 > 0:19:26the A1's traffic officers are called to help fix this major road.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28One of the main defects they face
0:19:28 > 0:19:31are potholes, which can pose a serious risk to driver safety.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38On a two-lane section of the road near Doncaster,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Paul Day and Rob Larkin have received
0:19:40 > 0:19:44a report about an urgent repair which is needed on the carriageway.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48What we found is a pothole that needed immediate repair.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52We've called it in to contractors, who've deployed a unit.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55We've done a bit of a liaise and a bit of a plan.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59we're going to pull out into traffic and block the carriageway.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02That'll allow the contractor to repair the pothole.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06One small pothole can lead to a tragedy,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09so even though closing the road will still cause huge disruption,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12the works are essential.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15If a motorbike hit that pothole then it could literally
0:20:15 > 0:20:17throw the rider straight off
0:20:17 > 0:20:20into the path of oncoming traffic.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Yeah. You assess the potential against the impact to traffic
0:20:23 > 0:20:27that's travelling. And it's better to have it repaired straightaway.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- A necessary evil. - A necessary evil, yeah.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34One-Three, we're right behind Yankee-Uniform-One-Two.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37And we're going to block traffic now - over.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Paul and Rob immediately shut down both lanes.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Just give us a minute. There's repairing a pothole
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and there's also...something that needs to go on further up.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Not be two seconds.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58So what we've done there is, we've utilised the...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00heavy traffic to create a gap.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03We've stopped traffic. We've spoken to drivers to let them know
0:21:03 > 0:21:05how we're going to do and what we're doing.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Meanwhile, further down the road, repairs begin on the hole.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12What we've done here is created
0:21:12 > 0:21:14a safety buffer between the contractors
0:21:14 > 0:21:17working in the main carriageway and the traffic behind.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Yes, it inconveniences for a period of time,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24but at least everybody is safe doing their job.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28With standing traffic mounting, there's no time to lose.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35In fact, he's just running over the tarmac now.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Just to push it down into the hole.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40So, it shouldn't be too long as it's completed.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44After just six minutes, the hole is fixed.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50There's just enough time to pick up some more dangerous debris.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Contractors will take care of that later.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Why did you have to move that?
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Just cos it was there.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02All received. Just about to release the block.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05Rob and Paul's drive-off is a signal
0:22:05 > 0:22:08for the traffic behind to start moving.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Yeah. 1-3. We've started rolling.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13But just as they set off again,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17the officers receive a report of another lane closure just ahead.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It's vital the traffic doesn't gather speed too quickly.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22So Rob and Paul need to create
0:22:22 > 0:22:24a rolling roadblock past the incident.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26That's going to cause a problem.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30So, what happened there was,
0:22:30 > 0:22:35we put the block on as they were turning to put the lane closure on.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40We've released to traffic nice and steadily into the closure.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Just pre-planning stuff,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46making sure that everything we've got covered, going on, was covered,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49so that members of the public didn't just come upon something
0:22:49 > 0:22:51that they didn't know was there.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54And it all went rather well.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Spanning nearly 400 miles,
0:23:02 > 0:23:07the A1 passes through bleak countryside and built-up cities.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Different parts of the road have different speed limits imposed,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13from 30 to 70mph.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15For the Northumbria Police force,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18the A1 is their biggest and busiest road.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21So cracking down on speeding motorists
0:23:21 > 0:23:23is a big part of an officer's job.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29In the last year, the police have prosecuted more than 57,000 drivers
0:23:29 > 0:23:30for speeding offences.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34And now, just a few miles north of Newcastle,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37PC Alan Keenleyside is tracking the latest culprit.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Just had a car in front...
0:23:42 > 0:23:44He moved into lane two really quite harshly.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I'm just going to follow him for a little bit.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I want to see what his manner of driving is like.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52The driver is heading south towards Gateshead
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and doesn't seem to have noticed Alan in his rear-view mirror.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I'm quite happy to move backward and forward into lane one.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01What I don't want is a member of the public
0:24:01 > 0:24:03to get between me and that car.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07But it seems Alan may have spoken too soon.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I'll just flash the blues.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12Thank you.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16By the looks of it, this vehicle is going to be
0:24:16 > 0:24:19taking the slip road off. I'm going to have a little word.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22As the driver enters Gateshead,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25he's still unaware that Alan is following him.
0:24:26 > 0:24:2930, and he's doing 44 in he 30s.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34As the driver pulls into the car park,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Alan makes his move.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40I was following you at 84 on the A1 from Seaton Burn.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Then when we came through he 30s you were doing 44 mile an hour
0:24:44 > 0:24:45in a 30-mile-an-hour limit.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Is there any reason why you've travelled like that
0:24:48 > 0:24:50all the way down? OK.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Do you have any identification?
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'll just check your driving licence, then.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- Whereabouts are you heading to? - Just here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57All right. No worries.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59- Is it your vehicle? Is it? - Yes, it is.- OK. No worries.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I'm just going to check you on the computer.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02Come take a seat in my car. Thank you.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine
0:25:07 > 0:25:08and three penalty points.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Alan is keen to show the driver evidence of his erratic driving.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14What alerted us to you, right?
0:25:14 > 0:25:17When you came on at Seaton Burn onto the A1,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21you moved quite violently from lane one into lane two.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23I'm following you there. All right?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26It's already sitting at 77.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Then your speed increased.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Can you see the bottom right-hand corner there?
0:25:30 > 0:25:3384, 85.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37All right. OK?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39It is what it is on that one.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41When we've come in the Metrocentre,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43which is just the slip road up here before I asked you to stop,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45we've come into a 30-mile-an-hour limit
0:25:45 > 0:25:47and your vehicle in front there is doing 44. OK?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50And that's the reasons why you've been stopped here today.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52I'm just going to check you on the system.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Do you have any points on your licence or anything?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Alan discovers the man is a professional lorry driver
0:25:59 > 0:26:03so more points on his licence could lead to him losing his job.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Alan has a very difficult decision to make.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08We could issue... I don't know
0:26:08 > 0:26:10if you've ever heard of a section 59 warning?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I'm not going to do that.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17I'd like to think that this word tonight is sufficient.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19At the end of the day, you're an HGV driver.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- Right?- My living.- It's your living.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23You don't need things like that coming your way.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25So, words of advice.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27So, lesson learned. Keep it down.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30You never know when we're there. And we'll leave it at that tonight.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- All right?- Thank you very much.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35No worries at all. There's your card back and we'll let you out.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37The driver realises he's been very lucky
0:26:37 > 0:26:39to get away without any points.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44When I got stopped, I was gutted because...
0:26:44 > 0:26:46I was in the wrong. Could have lost my job.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I'm an HGV driver so...
0:26:51 > 0:26:52I should know better, really.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55The police officer explained everything and he was fair with us.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58He could have given us a lot worse than what I've got off with.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01In speeding cases,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05police officers like Alan are allowed to use their discretion.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Depending on the circumstances, they can issue fines and make arrests.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Or they can take a more lenient approach.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15That chap there is a prime example of somebody who,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17he seemed like a thoroughly nice person.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20He's got the right attitude for me. He was sitting there.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21Very apologetic.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Hands up. He wasn't arguing.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27If he'd argued the case, it's all on video,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30and really it's down to the officer how he wants to do it
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and I thought, in that situation, yeah,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36words of advice is probably going to suffice.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43The motorist suspected of drink-driving
0:27:43 > 0:27:45pleaded guilty to the offence.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49He was disqualified from driving for 36 months
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and fined £235 including costs.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57After police inquiries, the red Fiesta was returned to the driver,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00who was considered to be its rightful owner.