0:00:02 > 0:00:04The A1, Britain's longest road.
0:00:05 > 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 > 0:00:17Connecting two nations and passing through 18 counties,
0:00:17 > 0:00:18it's an unrivalled highway
0:00:18 > 0:00:22used by hundreds of thousands of vehicles every day.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We're going southbound down the A1 on the northbound carriageway.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29But not all journeys go to plan.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35I thought, "I'm going to lose my life."
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Cars are coming close. It is the dangerous place to be.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Lives can hang in the balance.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44The rear end of that vehicle, it's unrecognisable.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46This is actually the bodywork of the car.
0:00:48 > 0:00:4924 hours a day...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It's not a safe place here.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54..there's a team of people who keep us safe from harm.
0:00:54 > 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 > 0:01:03or we don't know what's happened.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04..and traffic officers...
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Keep going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13- ..keeping Britain's most iconic road...- Get out!- ..on the move.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Substantially damaged flatbed truck in lane two.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The A1, the monster that it is, will start to return to normal.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Coming up...
0:01:26 > 0:01:28SIRENS WAIL
0:01:28 > 0:01:32..a countryside crash leaves a biker fighting for his life...
0:01:32 > 0:01:36You're always thinking the worst with a motorcycle accident.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38..traffic officers come face-to-face
0:01:38 > 0:01:40with a lorry driver flouting the law...
0:01:40 > 0:01:42You can't stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I'm going to break the law, then.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48..and there's an unexpected truck-stop for one deflated driver.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Picked up a bolt in the tyre,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53so I won't be going anywhere for a while.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Something I wasn't expecting today.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05From busy city routes to urban motorway, and even countryside road,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07the A1 is an ever-changing landscape
0:02:07 > 0:02:09which can bring unique challenges for the people
0:02:09 > 0:02:13that work the length and breadth of this historic highway.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19A1 patrol officer PC Darren Lant's patch
0:02:19 > 0:02:21in his native Northumbria,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24covers more than 70 diverse miles of the road.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30He's heading to one of its most troublesome sections
0:02:30 > 0:02:32just north of Newcastle.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41Here, the A1 becomes a single lane road with no central reservation.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45The dynamics of accidents change.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50You get more serious accidents up here with motorcycles and cars.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53We do get quite a lot of head-on collisions on this road,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57simply because people want to do the overtake on the single carriageway
0:02:57 > 0:03:01and they don't appreciate how fast the other car, the inbound car,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03is coming towards them.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05And not long after, a call comes in
0:03:05 > 0:03:09confirming just how treacherous this section of the A1 can be.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18As one of the closest patrols...
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Sirens on. - ..Darren responds immediately.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24SIRENS WAIL
0:03:28 > 0:03:32We've now got reports of a motorcycle and a car collision
0:03:32 > 0:03:35just south of Morpeth.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41But still 15 miles from the scene, it's crucial he gets there quickly,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43which involves high-speed driving
0:03:43 > 0:03:47and overtaking along this single-lane section.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Stay where you are.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59We've got very little details at the minute,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but we believe the motorcyclist is injured.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05You're always thinking the worst with a motorcycle accident.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14As he approaches the accident,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17there's already a mile-long tailback...
0:04:18 > 0:04:20..forcing Darren to squeeze perilously
0:04:20 > 0:04:23between queueing traffic and oncoming vehicles.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Arriving on the scene, the situation looks extremely serious.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39The rider is being treated on the road
0:04:39 > 0:04:42after colliding with the back of a car at high speed.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Can I give you a hand? - No, you're all right.- Are you sure?
0:04:49 > 0:04:52With paramedics taking care of the rider,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Darren starts to piece together exactly what happened.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- How are we doing? Are you all right?- I'm a bit shaken.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- OK. Don't worry about it. - I think he's breathing now.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- What happened?- I'm an architect on the site of Hebron Hill Farm.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- OK.- It's a bad right-hand turn here.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11I've slowed down, I've indicated to turn right.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I've come into here,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and as I was driving in, there was an almighty whack.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21All I would assume is that he's tried overtaking.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26The full force of the impact has flung the rider
0:05:26 > 0:05:29almost 20 metres down the road.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The driver of the silver car here, the BMW, he appears to be OK.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36A little bit shocked and shaken.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39We're going to get him away, get him off the site, give him a cup of tea,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42get him warmed up. And then we'll keep the road closed
0:05:42 > 0:05:43until we make sure HE'S all right.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49As other officers control passing traffic,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Darren learns the full extent of the biker's injuries from paramedics.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Left forearm's broke?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00His thigh is broke, is it?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Multiple, is it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Multiple fractures and possible internal injuries
0:06:05 > 0:06:08could be life-changing for the motorcyclist.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Darren's going to be pushed to the limit
0:06:10 > 0:06:13dealing with this serious incident.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22More than 110 miles south of the rural landscape of Northumbria
0:06:22 > 0:06:27is one of the busiest intersections on the whole of the A1,
0:06:27 > 0:06:28where it meets the M62.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Drive around this section and it's impossible to miss
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Ferrybridge power station,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and the thousands of lorries
0:06:41 > 0:06:45that pummel this stretch of road every week.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Traffic officers Paul Day and Rob Larkin
0:06:53 > 0:06:56are tasked with keeping this area safe.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01A common danger is lorry drivers taking a break on the hard shoulder.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09When the traffic officers turn up, they don't usually stick around.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14It looks like we've scared him off.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16He's left scene. Over.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21By law, lorry drivers need to rest for 45 minutes
0:07:21 > 0:07:24every four and a half hours.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27They should find a safe place to pull over,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29but some of them think it's OK
0:07:29 > 0:07:32to take their break on the hard shoulder.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34But that's against the law.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Foreign LGV parked on the hard shoulder, Rob.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Paul wants to catch this trucker before he gives him the slip.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Because it's quite wide, LGVs just think it's OK to stop,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51especially foreign LGVs.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54They don't realise they cannot stop on a British motorway
0:07:54 > 0:07:56except for an emergency.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58The driver's keen to let Paul know
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- he's abiding by the rest break rules.- Hi.- Good day.- You all right?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Yes, yes, yes. 45 minutes.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Can't stop on a British hard shoulder, boss,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10you have to come off at the next junction.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's not my problem, mate,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17you'll have to come off at 37 and turn right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- When you turn right, there's a parking space off there.- OK.- OK?
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- Thank you.- Thank you very much. - All right.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29But by stopping on the hard shoulder, he's breaking another law.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31It may seem like a minor issue,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34but these illegal pit stops put lives in danger.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Being parked on the hard shoulder
0:08:38 > 0:08:40is one of the most dangerous parts of the motorway.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The longer you are on the hard shoulder,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45the greater the chances are you're going to get hit.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51More than 50 people are killed or seriously injured
0:08:51 > 0:08:55in hard shoulder accidents on Britain's roads each year.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57Yet, despite the danger,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05But with thousands of lorry drivers using the A1 every day,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08it's a battle to which Rob and Paul will return.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17The Great North Road is a backbone for Britain's haulage industry.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Nearly 150 miles away, in Norfolk,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23one truck driver has a load that's more at home
0:09:23 > 0:09:26on Britain's waterways than its motorways.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27ENGINE TURNS
0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's early Friday morning,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and specialist boat transporter Paul Douglas
0:09:34 > 0:09:37is preparing for an epic 190-mile voyage
0:09:37 > 0:09:39from Norfolk to York.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Hopefully, fingers crossed...
0:09:43 > 0:09:46..get there in enough time to get unloaded today.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Paul needs it to be all plain sailing,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52because if it doesn't reach the marina by 3pm,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54they won't take the cruiser off
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and he'll have to return after the weekend.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00If we have to deliver this on Monday rather than today,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04it could be a case of not having enough time to fit all the work in,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08so it's pretty imperative I get it off today
0:10:08 > 0:10:11or I'll lose money the following week, so it's, um...
0:10:13 > 0:10:15We'll do our best.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21The luxury cruiser, Athena, is on its way to its new owners in York,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24who are looking forward to a weekend on the water.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Friday's generally a bad day for being on the roads.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35We've got all of today to get to York and get this unloaded.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38So, hopefully, we won't have too many delays.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Last year, Paul transported more than 200 boats over 100,000 miles.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Making him and his precious cargo a regular sight on the A1.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55But he's still 50 miles from joining it
0:10:55 > 0:10:57when it sounds like there's a problem.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00There's a clicking noise coming from my front wheel.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Do you hear it?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04FAINT CLICKING
0:11:04 > 0:11:07A clicking noise, if you can hear that.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11It wasn't doing it when we set off.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18And the reason for the noise couldn't be more deflating.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Picked up a bolt in the tyre.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24So, we won't be going anywhere for a while.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Something I wasn't expecting today.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I better go and make a phone call.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Hi, Wayne. It's Paul at Beverley.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38I've got a puncture on me tractor unit,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41a bolt stuck in the tyre on the road side.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Good if you could get someone out to me.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47While he waits for roadside assistance,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Paul and the boat are left high and dry.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54They could be here within an hour, we could be sat here two or three.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57If we're sat here for two or three, the day is scuppered.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59If they are here within the hour...
0:12:00 > 0:12:02..we've still got a fighting chance.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10130 miles north, the Athena's new owners,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Malcolm and Celia, are at York Marina,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17ready for the imminent arrival of their luxury cruiser.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19We told you the other day about
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- the boat being launched today. - Right, OK.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26But Paul's puncture could prove to be a real let down.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29He might get here, he might not.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32He just said that he'd had a tyre blow out on the road.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Now I'm sure it's all fine! - SHE CHUCKLES
0:12:35 > 0:12:37But, obviously, he's had to stop and deal with that,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39so it has just delayed him slightly.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Now, if he is here for three o'clock,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44we can lift it off because we've got just enough daylight.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46If he comes any later than that,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48it's too dark and we can't lift the boat off in the dark.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- All right.- Oh, dear.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- So, we'd have to wait until Monday morning.- Right.- I'm sorry.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- SHE LAUGHS - Well, you can't...
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It's beyond your control.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04The clock is ticking for Paul.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And there's still no sign of his puncture repair man.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14He'll be here within the next 90 minutes.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Hopefully, they'll be here in 30 minutes,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20but they'll be here within 90 minutes.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22So, it's just a case of sitting and waiting.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Not good.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30With the marina's dusk deadline looming large,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33will Paul make it back to York on time?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41220 miles away near Morpeth,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44A1 patrol officer PC Darren Lant
0:13:44 > 0:13:47is still dealing with the aftermath of a serious collision,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51where a 57-year-old motorcyclist's life is on the line.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Less than an hour ago,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00his motorbike collided with the back of a stationary BMW,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04which resulted in the rider suffering life-threatening injuries.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09After stabilising him,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13the paramedics can now get the motorcyclist off the road
0:14:13 > 0:14:15and into the ambulance.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Yeah, he's not very well, bless him.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24He's conscious and breathing,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28but he's got multiple fractures, both arms and, possibly, both legs.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Certainly, one of his legs, but possibly both of his legs.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33With the paramedics taking care of the biker,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Darren's attention now turns to the traffic,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39which is tailing back several miles in both directions.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It's the main road, isn't it?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45There's only one way in and out of Scotland up this way,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48so we've got to get this open because of the delaying traffic.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49People are getting frustrated.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54But before the road can be fully cleared,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Darren needs to document the scene
0:14:58 > 0:15:02and gather any evidence which could be used in a prosecution.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11While the wrecked bike waits for its roadside rescue...
0:15:13 > 0:15:15..its owner is on the way to the last place
0:15:15 > 0:15:19any driver wants to end up when they set out on a journey.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21The motorcyclist, he's going to be blue-lighted down
0:15:21 > 0:15:25to Newcastle's Royal Victoria, the hospital, the trauma hospital,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28where he's going to go into specialist care.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32An hour after the accident,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35this vital section of the A1 is cleared of debris
0:15:35 > 0:15:37and ready to be reopened.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Motorcyclists accounted for
0:15:43 > 0:15:47one in every seven people killed on the A1 in 2015.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50And Darren is well used to dealing
0:15:50 > 0:15:52with the aftermath of these accidents.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56I don't know, I've got mixed feelings about motorbikes.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00I like watching motor superbikes and all that sort of stuff, but...
0:16:00 > 0:16:01You just get no protection,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04very, very little protection on a motorbike.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08You kind of become desensitised to it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10I've seen it that many times now,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12and I've dealt with that many accidents,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15it's just part and parcel of a motor patroller's job.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17It's our role.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25With the motorcyclist heading to hospital for emergency treatment,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28back at base, Darren has the difficult task
0:16:28 > 0:16:30of informing his family.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39What's happened is your dad's been involved
0:16:39 > 0:16:41in an accident on his motorcycle.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42He's all right.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45He's got some quite nasty injuries.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47And he's been taken to the RVI.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50He's in a critical, but stable, condition.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54And, obviously, he's going to be in there for a while.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00It's a call no-one wants to receive or make.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05But with over 180,000 casualties on Britain's roads each year,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08it's a hard reality of every patrol officer's role.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16130 miles south,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19on one of the busiest motorway stretches of the A1 near Doncaster,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22two Highways England traffic officers
0:17:22 > 0:17:25are on a mission to prevent accidents.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Rob and Paul are on the lookout for lorry drivers
0:17:31 > 0:17:34illegally blocking the hard shoulder,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37putting themselves and other drivers at risk.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Now, they've got another lorry in their sights.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45It looks like he's broken down, but I'm not sure.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Drivers can only stop on the hard shoulder of the A1 in emergencies.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52But some truckers use it as a parking spot
0:17:52 > 0:17:54when trying to follow an EU law
0:17:54 > 0:17:58saying they must rest for 45 minutes every four and a half hours.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Hiya, mate.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- What's up?- I just realised I'm on my four and a half.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06I knew you were going to tell me that.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09You can't stop on the hard shoulder of the motorway.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I know, that's why I used this bit instead of a slip road.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13This is not allowed. You are actually on a motorway.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15You can't stop here either.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Lorry driver Paul Coote is on his way to Norwich
0:18:17 > 0:18:21with a wagon full of kitchen units and broom handles,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23and it's looking like he's trying to give Paul the brush off.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I'm going to break the law, then. You've just told me to.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29That's up to yourself. You've got to find your own place to park.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32I stick to the law and I'm going to be reported for it.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33Well, you're not sticking to the law
0:18:33 > 0:18:36because you're not allowed to stop on the hard shoulder
0:18:36 > 0:18:38of the motorway, but that's not my choice. It's up to you, that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40I'm sticking to the EU tacho laws.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44A tacho, or tachograph, is a digital device
0:18:44 > 0:18:47fitted to vehicles which records speed and distance.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50It will register if the driver fails to stop his truck
0:18:50 > 0:18:54for the required 45 minutes, which is a serious breach of EU law.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58So, lorry driver Paul is desperate to stick around.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59Am I good for four minutes?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01I can't tell you you're good for four minutes.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03What I have to do is pass your details on. If you are saying
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- "four minutes", then four minutes is four minutes.- Yeah.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Paul doesn't have the power to move the driver on,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12but he can inform him of the rules.
0:19:12 > 0:19:13If you'd have come off at 37,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16there's a lay-by off the left-hand side there.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- I didn't know that. - I appreciate that,
0:19:18 > 0:19:20but you've just got to do the job.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Your responsibility, you're the man.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- Yeah.- All right? No worries, I'll pass your details on.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Right, have you got any recovery? - Yeah, it's coming! It's coming!
0:19:32 > 0:19:34You're not going to win.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38You're not going to win.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Right, it's safer out of the vehicle than in the vehicle,
0:19:40 > 0:19:42cos you're going to stay for your four minutes.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44But you're safer out of the vehicle than in the vehicle.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- And keep your eye on traffic, all right?- I will.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- All right, then.- Thank you. - Look after yoursen, yeah?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Paul radios an update to the control room.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58He's on a tacho break, very, very close to the end of his break.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Obviously, we've given him safety advice, said he shouldn't do it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04We have had a bit of a debate about it,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08and the upshot is he is staying here till he's finished his break. Over.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Paul Coote has been driving lorries for more than 40 years.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14But today, he admits he's learned a valuable lesson.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17He's come out and he's pointed something out
0:20:17 > 0:20:19which I didn't know of. I knew I'm not allowed on the hard shoulder
0:20:19 > 0:20:21on a motorway, but being on a slip road,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I thought I might have been all right on a works unit.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26I'm not. It's something I've learned.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And that's the way it goes.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32It's practically impossible to know every area,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34every place you could stop.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35If you're on a regular route,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37you have a regular stopping point.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Once I realised I was three miles from the M18,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I had to stop.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I've got to adhere to the law, but it makes you break another law.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48So, where do you stand?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50It's just a nonsense, I'm afraid.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55The tacho laws were brought in to protect truckers
0:20:55 > 0:20:57from being asked to drive while tired.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59And fatigue is still a factor
0:20:59 > 0:21:02in about one in five serious motorway crashes.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07But to avoid breaking the law by stopping on the hard shoulder,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09drivers need to plan ahead.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14All we can do is explain and say, "Look, you're not allowed to stop,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16"you know you're not allowed to stop."
0:21:16 > 0:21:19You get a bit of backwards and forwards with them,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22saying, "I've no time left, I've no time left".
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Well, that's fine. You might not have any time left,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27but it's their responsibility
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- to find a place of safety... - Before the time runs out.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31..before the time runs out.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34As an ex-bus driver himself,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Paul understands the lorry driver's dilemma.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39My mates who are truckers are going to go mad with me.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Is that because you are the nasty guy from Highways England?
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- All I keep doing is moving trucks on.- Get off my motorway!
0:21:52 > 0:21:54The A1 connects major cities,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56cuts through countryside,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58and even crosses borders.
0:21:59 > 0:22:05If tarmac could talk, its 396 miles would have a lot of stories to tell.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09For specialist boat transporter Paul Douglas,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11who is stranded near King's Lynn,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14today's journey is more nightmare than fairy tale.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Do you want me to blow the air up or out?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Yeah, if that makes it easy, yeah.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27He's got a 3pm deadline
0:22:27 > 0:22:30to complete his delivery of a boat to York.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37With his clients ready set sail 130 miles away...
0:22:39 > 0:22:41..Paul needs his puncture fixed as soon as possible.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46He has got here in very good time. He is on with it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It is going to make the day a bit tighter,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52cos we still need to get the boat in the water before it gets dark.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55I'm still hopeful, but we are up against it a bit more now.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58With the damaged tyre off,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Paul is keen to get a closer look at the cause of his travel delay.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Yeah, you can just see it there, look.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10From the tread to where the inside will be, will be about three inches.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13It will be a decent-sized bolt in there.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Are you going right to the front with it?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Each of the truck's tyres weighs in at over 100 pounds.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Changing one of these beasts by the roadside
0:23:24 > 0:23:26means you have to watch your back in more ways than one.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I'm just trying to keep an eye out just in case there are any
0:23:31 > 0:23:32straying cars or lorries.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Some of them will give us a bit of room,
0:23:34 > 0:23:39but you only need somebody texting or not concentrating
0:23:39 > 0:23:43and they come too far over
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and that's it.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52That's it.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Excellent. I'll get your cones for you.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- Time to get back to business. - Crack on.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Paul has got just over three hours to get to York,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04so he can't afford another delay.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07If we get any more hold-ups,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10we're going to struggle to get this in the water before dark tonight.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14The marina won't want to lift in the dark, which is fair dues.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16That will mean doing the job on Monday,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19which will have a knock-on effect of next week,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23because all the jobs next week will need replanning and putting back.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27And consequently, the possibility of losing a job
0:24:27 > 0:24:29at the end of next week.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Until Paul makes it to York Marina,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36patient owners Malcolm and Celia are marooned.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Bit of a problem.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It's five minutes past one.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44Five minutes past one.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46So, you're talking about a couple of hours now,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48possibly before he is here.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- Yes.- Do want to go for a walk?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Right, yeah. I'll just get my coat.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- So it could be Monday now, then, love.- Quite likely.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Back on the A1, Paul's progress is painfully slow.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Just approaching Doncaster.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17There is always a bit of a queue here.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20There is quite often a queue all the way to the M62,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23but let's just hope it is not as bad as that today.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It's looking as though it is starting to move again ahead.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Hopefully it's just the amount of traffic that's coming off the M18
0:25:31 > 0:25:34here that is snarling everything up.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39At last, Paul's luck changes.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Hi, Gemma. It is Paul at Beverley Transport.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45I'm just coming off the A1 onto the 64,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47so I should be with you in about 30 minutes.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53With the light fading fast, Paul finally makes it...
0:25:56 > 0:25:59..much to Malcolm and Celia's delight.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01He's arrived!
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Fine.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Happy and relieved that he has made it here in daylight
0:26:08 > 0:26:09and they're launching it.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Yeah, very pleased.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Named after a Greek goddess,
0:26:13 > 0:26:18Athena's A1 odyssey has left her looking a little worse for wear.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20I must apologise for the colour of it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21It wasn't this colour when I left,
0:26:21 > 0:26:26but it is a bit unavoidable at this time of the year, I'm afraid.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30A quick dip in the water will soon restore her sparkle
0:26:30 > 0:26:34and the pressures of the day also start to float away.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Appreciate that. Enjoy your boat. Safe trip tomorrow. Take care.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- Have a good trip. - Thank you. Bye.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49With things back on an even keel, Paul can reflect on a job well done.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52All the customers are happy.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54And that's the main thing.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Ready for home.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10The A1 near Newcastle carries more than 90,000 vehicles every day.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15The sheer volume means there is rarely a dull moment for the police
0:27:15 > 0:27:17officers who patrol this stretch.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23PC Darren Lant is beginning another shift on a dark midwinter morning.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29The A1 is already heaving
0:27:29 > 0:27:32and it's not long before he's responding to an emergency call.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43I've already been dispatched to a live lane broken down
0:27:43 > 0:27:46in the middle of the A1.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50The car is stranded on the edge of the carriageway,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52where there's no hard shoulder.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55With vehicles rushing past at 70mph,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58for the motorist it's an extremely dangerous situation.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Firstly, make sure that they are all right.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04And then secondly, try and get them off the live lane
0:28:04 > 0:28:06as quick as we can for their safety
0:28:06 > 0:28:09and then the safety of the other road users.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18What's happened?
0:28:31 > 0:28:34How long is your son going to be?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Where is he coming from?
0:28:40 > 0:28:41With no hard shoulder,
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Darren is using his patrol car to protect the stranded motorists from
0:28:45 > 0:28:47oncoming vehicles.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49But as rush-hour traffic builds,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53their situation is only going to become more hazardous.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55We're just looking for the gentleman's towline
0:28:55 > 0:28:58for the front of his vehicle, so that when his son turns up,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01we are in a position to tow it straight off the A1
0:29:01 > 0:29:03and get him out of harm's way.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07People are just trying to get to work,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09so they're not really concentrating and I'm just...
0:29:09 > 0:29:11HORN HONKS
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Good morning.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Busy start to the shift, eh?
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Passenger Ray Bonner wasn't expecting his early morning commute
0:29:21 > 0:29:23to leave him in danger.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27We were just driving along. My vehicle was taking us to work.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29And the engine just started making a noise,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33and next thing we knew everything just cut out.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36No power, no ignition, no nothing.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Ended up stranded here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40It's horrendous, it's not nice.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43When you've got traffic at this volume, it's dangerous, as well.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47With congestion mounting,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Darren needs to get the car out of harm's way quickly.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53You want to be off the A1.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54As much as I like my job,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58I don't want to be sitting here as long as I have to. Right.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01And, for Ray, this is Groundhog Day.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04A week and a half ago, my car broke down
0:30:04 > 0:30:07but I just managed to get off the A1.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11I was on West Road going home so my mate has been taking us to work,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13like, until I can get back on the road.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I must be a bad luck charm.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Every time I touch a car, it seems to break down.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Well you are definitely not getting a lift in my car to work,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23that's for sure. all right?
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Thankfully for Darren, there's no chance of that today.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- Is this your son?- Aye.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Yeah, happy days.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33Tow rope attached,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37the stranded vehicle can be removed from its hazardous position.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Handbrake off. In neutral.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43I'll pull out first, secure this lane, right?
0:30:43 > 0:30:44I'll give you a flash of the lights
0:30:44 > 0:30:46and then you can pull away, all right?
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I'll stay behind you. We're going to go to the lay-by, all right?
0:30:50 > 0:30:51Watch what you're doing.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55It's taken Darren less than 20 minutes
0:30:55 > 0:30:58to help the lads head to a place of safety.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03And for this patrol officer, it's another crisis averted.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Working on a car at the side of the road.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11It's almost pitch-black, isn't it? Still really early in the morning.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Some people are half asleep.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15You know, they are getting up and they're rushing to work,
0:31:15 > 0:31:19which is why we have to work as quick as we can, as safely as we can
0:31:19 > 0:31:23to get the carriageway open and get the hazards of the road.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Here we go, we're off now. Excellent.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Go and say goodbye to them and get them on their way.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- Thanks very much, Officer. - No problem. Everybody done?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Yep, thanks very much.- Excellent, great, take care, gents.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39With the recovery vehicle en route,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Ray and his mates will soon be on their way to work.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50As Britain's longest road, the A1 sees its fair share of broken down
0:31:50 > 0:31:53vehicles and, as this footage shows,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56being stranded next to fast-moving motorway traffic...
0:31:58 > 0:32:01..is an extremely perilous place to be.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08On the Western bypass near Newcastle,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11there's no hard shoulder for stricken vehicles to pull into
0:32:11 > 0:32:13so they are especially vulnerable.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Fortunately, there is help at hand.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Motorbike rider, Peter Dodds.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Breaking down is a traumatic experience for everybody.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31It has a knock-on effect for everybody,
0:32:31 > 0:32:32kids going to school and so on,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35so you need to get those people out of there as quick as possible
0:32:35 > 0:32:37to let everybody else do their thing through life.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41When vehicles break down,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44it's Peter's mission to get them off the road fast.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- I'm going to put you on the back of the bike.- Right.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52We'll pick your car up, you in the car,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54take you off to a place of safety.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57But how does one man and his motorbike move a car
0:32:57 > 0:32:59weighing just over a tonne?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03This is no ordinary bike.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It's been specially adapted with a hydraulic trailer.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12It unfolds allowing Peter to carry cars and small vans off the A1
0:33:12 > 0:33:14all in a matter of minutes.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Which is why round these parts he is known as the minute man.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Just driving up the road and the car just came up with a fault
0:33:27 > 0:33:29on my dashboard.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32It totally cut out. Just wouldn't restart.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38In next to no time, the Polo is hitched up on Peter's trailer.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40It's awesome technology.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Gets us off the road and safe quick.
0:33:45 > 0:33:50In just ten minutes, Peter and his incredible bike are back on the road
0:33:50 > 0:33:53with driver and car in tow...
0:33:59 > 0:34:02..leaving the traffic on the A1 to flow freely again.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Peter's one of a small band of minute-men patrolling the A1.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19They deal with more than 900 incidents every year
0:34:19 > 0:34:21and their powers really come into their own
0:34:21 > 0:34:24when dealing with emergencies.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29There's been a three-car pile-up outside Newcastle at rush-hour.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35With traffic mounting, it looks like there's no way through.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38This is clearly a job for the minute man.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Peter makes short work of cutting through the cars.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50He's one of the first recovery services on the scene.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Where a three-vehicle shunt on the outside lane
0:34:55 > 0:34:57has led to traffic chaos.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02We've got a Mondeo estate and then a Skoda Yeti four-wheel drive.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05The lightest one there is going to be the Astra at the front, actually.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Let's have a look.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Fortunately, no-one is hurt,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12but Peter knows the longer the cars stay in the lane,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15the greater the chance of another collision and there are vulnerable
0:35:15 > 0:35:19drivers stranded in the central reservation.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21The lad on the back just didn't stop.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Ploughed into the back of him and then he hit the back of me
0:35:24 > 0:35:26and I hit a lass that was in front of me
0:35:26 > 0:35:29but obviously her car was not that much damaged.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Mine is mostly superficial.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Popped my radiator, as well.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38But his luck is about to change.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43His car is a perfect fit for Peter's bike
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and he'll be off the road in no time.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Ready?
0:35:56 > 0:35:57Are you ready to go?
0:35:57 > 0:36:00We'll take you around to the Angel Of The North out the way.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Jump in your driver's seat, there. Don't touch anything.- Yeah.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Put your seat belt on.- Yeah.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07This lad will put you on the front seat of the car.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Put him in the passenger seat, please.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Peter's ready to roll just as the recovery truck turns up
0:36:15 > 0:36:18to deal with the other two vehicles.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24For this hi-vis hero, it's just another day on the job
0:36:24 > 0:36:27and for the drivers desperate to get on their way,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Peter and his hi-tech bike have saved the day.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Obviously when the bike turned up, I was wondering what it was.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41When I seen it getting put into its positions and stuff,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44it's a good bit of kit.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Love the bikes, absolutely love them
0:36:50 > 0:36:53and, most of all, I love helping people.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03With more than 60% of us commuting by car,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07it's no surprise Britain's major roads feel the strain.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12It's Friday night rush-hour.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15The A1's busiest time of the week.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22PC Alan Keenlyside is battling through traffic to another incident
0:37:22 > 0:37:25near Newcastle.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32So we're travelling to a report of a live lane breakdown on the A1,
0:37:32 > 0:37:34so we're in rush-hour traffic now.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36It's dark.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39It's potentially going to be on an unlit or poorly lit section of
0:37:39 > 0:37:43the A1, so we've got a real risk here of a stationary car
0:37:43 > 0:37:47in the slow lane of the A1 and it's vulnerable
0:37:47 > 0:37:49and we need to get really quickly.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Worst case scenario is a car travelling at 70mph
0:37:56 > 0:37:57crashes into that vehicle.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01There's always injuries and it's quite often loss of life so,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04yeah, we treat it really, really seriously.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07The vehicle is going to be around this bend.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10There it is.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12It's actually sticking well out into lane one.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Alan has called in help from colleagues
0:38:14 > 0:38:16in an unmarked police car.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Do you want to come ahead of me in the unmarked?
0:38:18 > 0:38:23What I've done, then, is that's an unmarked motor patrol vehicle.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26It's safer to have a fully marked vehicle at the back
0:38:26 > 0:38:29using all our reflective equipment.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30With traffic building fast,
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Alan needs to make sure the driver is out of harm's way.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41It's backed up as far as you can see backwards in lane two.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46I would normally go down but they've actually just pushed it.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48They've been able to push the vehicle down hill.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50That will get the two police vehicles off the road
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and now we can deal with this broken down with all lanes open.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- You all right? - I'm all right.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Aye, all right.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Driver, Alistair, has had a blow out on the main carriageway and Alan's
0:39:10 > 0:39:14not prepared to let him change the tyre in such a dangerous spot.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16We could temporarily stop the slip road.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20- Do you want me to put closure on just before the junction?- Yes, mate.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Alan has no choice but to shepherd the car back onto the A1.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31While the other team closes the slip road,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35driver Alistair reverses the car the wrong way up it...
0:39:36 > 0:39:40..and he finally finds a place of safety.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49I was going home for my tea, so my tea's in the oven!
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Tea's in the dog. - No, no, tea's in the oven.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54I phoned the wife. "I'll be a bit late."
0:39:54 > 0:39:57"Why?" "I've had a blow out."
0:39:57 > 0:39:59"Oh, right, I'll put your tea in the oven."
0:39:59 > 0:40:02She didn't even ask if I was OK!
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Blown there, right the way round.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14There you are, try that.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17But changing the wheel is proving a much tougher job
0:40:17 > 0:40:19than they both expected.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Is it going in at all, is it?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- It seems to be a fair bit still to go on that.- Yeah, there is.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29On all four of them.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31The only thing I can think of is you are putting a steel wheel on
0:40:31 > 0:40:34and it's an alloy wheel nut.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39The pair are baffled as to why the bolts are failing to fully tighten.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Alan's determined to get Alistair on his way and hopes someone at the
0:40:45 > 0:40:47local services can shed some light.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52The gentleman has got the best part of 35 miles to go,
0:40:52 > 0:40:54so I'll be happy if he went to the service station,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57got into the garage and see if they've got anything in there.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Kind of hoping, if I've got to be honest,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05that this service station that we're heading to
0:41:05 > 0:41:08might have some repair parts.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10It's always nice to be able to help someone to a resolution
0:41:10 > 0:41:14whereby they're on their way and they are on their way home.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18At the service station, it looks like help might be at hand.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Sometimes in these places you get people from the AA and the RAC
0:41:21 > 0:41:26who might be taking a break and cue the right....
0:41:26 > 0:41:28It's the RAC!
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Seen who it is?
0:41:31 > 0:41:33It's the fourth emergency service!
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Or is that the AA? It's the fifth emergency service.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- I'll ask them, anyway.- But the driver doesn't have the parts...
0:41:40 > 0:41:43This lad is just a recovery lad so unfortunately he can't help me.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47..so Alistair finally calls his own recovery provider
0:41:47 > 0:41:51hoping they can get to grips with the tricky wheel bolts.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54We've got a canny gap and that's as tight as we can get them.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00- But that's right.- Is it?- Aye, there's a sticker there, tells you.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- It's telling you that's all right. - Who reads instruction manuals?
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Why didn't we see that?
0:42:06 > 0:42:10So pointing to that there which clearly shows that there's a gap
0:42:10 > 0:42:13between the nut and the casing of the wheel which we've got.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16If there was something wrong, at least he's going to check it
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and you're going to get the professional looking at it.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21You've already looked at it!
0:42:23 > 0:42:25If you lads haven't been there and I'd done that myself,
0:42:25 > 0:42:27I'd have been like, "No way."
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- It's not very obvious, is it? - It's only yellow and black.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32They could have made it stand out a bit more, couldn't they?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40The motorcyclist left badly injured after crashing on the A1
0:42:40 > 0:42:46has undergone multiple operations but is now on the road to recovery.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And, after their boat made it up the A1 on time,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Malcolm and Celia set sail the very next morning for their
0:42:52 > 0:42:55two-day cruise along the River Ouse.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Next time, the careless drivers putting lives at risk.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Worst case scenario is that it's a fatality.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- Officers race to the scene... - This is high priority.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09..of a treacherous tyre blowout.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Traffic is just too busy.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13The chances of somebody getting struck on that offside
0:43:13 > 0:43:15is really high.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19And Santa's reindeer heads south.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22You often get this expression of pure delight when people see
0:43:22 > 0:43:24the reindeer for the first time.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26They really are the spirit of Christmas.