0:00:02 > 0:00:04The A1, Britain's longest road...
0:00:05 > 0:00:09..stretching 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 > 0:00:18it'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 > 0:00:36Cars are coming close.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It is a dangerous place to be.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Lives can hang in the balance.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44The rear-end of that vehicle is 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 > 0:00:53..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- or we don't know what's happened. - ..and traffic officers...
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Keep going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11..keeping Britain's most iconic road...
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- Get out!- ..on the move.
0:01:14 > 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.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Coming up...
0:01:27 > 0:01:31a race against time to the scene of a head-on collision...
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Two vehicles coming together on a road like this,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37you're looking at a 100mph-plus impact.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38MAN CRIES OUT
0:01:38 > 0:01:42..a lorry overturns and brings chaos to the Great North Road...
0:01:42 > 0:01:45So he's had to try and swerve to avoid and he's overturned.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49..and a reckless speeder...
0:01:49 > 0:01:5188mph in a 50.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55..putting workers' lives at risk.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58You're barrelling into their roadworks doing 88mph.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59Seriously not cool.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08The A1 is a 400-mile superhighway,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11a key artery from Central London through the fields of Lincolnshire,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15past the northern powerhouses of Leeds and Newcastle
0:02:15 > 0:02:16before crossing the border
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and ending at Edinburgh's Waverley Station.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22In all, 15 police forces
0:02:22 > 0:02:26are tasked with keeping Britain's longest road safe.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32At its most northerly point, it's the job of Police Scotland.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Nearly 20 miles from Edinburgh,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40PCs Stewart Logan and Davie Johnson are patrolling the A1...
0:02:42 > 0:02:43..and it's not long before they're
0:02:43 > 0:02:47called to a crash on the road that runs alongside the main carriageway.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55Roger, mate.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Yeah, we are listening. We're en route from Haddington.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07With one of the casualties thought to be in a serious condition,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Stewart and Davie need to get there fast.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14We're en route to what's been deemed a head-on collision
0:03:14 > 0:03:17on this road, which is the A6093,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20which is running parallel to the A1.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22As you can see, it's just a two-way undivided road
0:03:22 > 0:03:24but it'll be a national speed limit
0:03:24 > 0:03:30so you'll be looking at vehicles travelling legally up to 60mph,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and then when you're looking at two vehicles coming together on
0:03:33 > 0:03:35a road like this, you're looking at
0:03:35 > 0:03:38potentially a 100mph-plus impact
0:03:38 > 0:03:41because of the nature of the speeds.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Within minutes of getting the call,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Stewart and Davie are at the scene of the crash.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It looks like the van appears to have pulled out into the path
0:03:54 > 0:03:58of this but we'll jump out and we'll assess it from there.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03It's clear this is a serious incident
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and, with no ambulance on the scene yet,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09the first priority is to check on the injured.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Hi, Fraser.- Chap here's complaining of chest pains...
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Yeah.- ..and pain in his leg.- OK.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Alan's going to get an ETA for the ambulance
0:04:15 > 0:04:17just to find out what's happening.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Is this the driver of the van here? - Yes. Uh-huh.- Right, OK.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26A 72-year-old man is in the back of the car in considerable pain
0:04:26 > 0:04:31but police don't want to move him until paramedics arrive.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Hello, chap, have you got a wee second?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36In the meantime, Stewart interviews the van driver.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37What's happened, then?
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Uh-huh.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So you were coming this way?
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48And she was sitting, waiting to turn right?
0:04:48 > 0:04:49Oh, right.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Oh, right.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Right, OK. Right, no problem at all.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59Are you all right in yourself?
0:05:01 > 0:05:06The seat belt or whatever or just the impact from it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Right, OK. No bother.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10What to do, sir, is you just take your time.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13We've got an ambulance coming so we'll get you checked out anyway
0:05:13 > 0:05:15cos you've obviously had a heck of a dunt.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21The ambulance has arrived and the crew start work on releasing
0:05:21 > 0:05:23the badly injured man from the car.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27I can support you here. Just take your time. OK.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28MAN CRIES OUT
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The old gentleman who's in the vehicle is going to be treated
0:05:35 > 0:05:38by the emergency staff from the ambulance
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and then we'll get an assessment on what we need to do
0:05:41 > 0:05:44but, at the minute, we'll leave the situation locked down
0:05:44 > 0:05:47because, again, we need to be tentative because of his age.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49MAN CRIES OUT
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Do you want the Fire Service?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- The thing is, it's going to take that long.- Yeah.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54See if you got a board under his backside
0:05:54 > 0:05:55and slide him onto the board.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- Let's see if I can do anything. - Wait just now.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Get the board under his bum and just slide him with the board.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04MAN CRIES OUT
0:06:07 > 0:06:09With the passenger in so much pain,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13the ambulance crew are struggling to free him from the car.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17If they can't release him soon, Stewart will have no choice
0:06:17 > 0:06:20but to call the fire brigade to cut him out.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22The next half-hour will be critical.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31The A1 is the scene of more than 2,000 accidents a year.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34A large proportion of these occur where there's the greatest
0:06:34 > 0:06:38volume of traffic, such as the stretch of road near Durham.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44It's 7.30am and Highways England traffic officers
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Peter Senior and Scott Wilson
0:06:46 > 0:06:48are heading into heavy rush-hour traffic
0:06:48 > 0:06:52when they get a report of a serious incident north of Durham.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02We'll head south in case 42 need any assistance. Over.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07An overturned lorry could mean serious injuries
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and, with a fire engine rushing towards the scene,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12it doesn't look good.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16We'll hit all the emergency lights and we'll pick our way through.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Even though the accident is on the other side of the road,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Peter and Scott are finding it difficult
0:07:25 > 0:07:27to battle through the traffic.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31This is all down to rubbernecking at the minute.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35And as Peter and Scott arrive at the scene, it's clear why.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39You can see the incident coming up now on the opposite carriageway.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51A 17-tonne truck has overturned after colliding with a 4x4...
0:07:52 > 0:07:54..and is now on its side,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57blocking a lane of traffic and the hard shoulder.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I'll just hold back here until you find out what's going on.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07As they arrive,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Scott's first priority is to find out if there are any injuries.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Now, then, how are you doing?
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Amazingly, the lorry driver is shaken but unhurt
0:08:17 > 0:08:19after what sounds like a terrifying accident.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26He was overtaking an LGV and he pulled into lane one,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28not expecting to see anything,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30then there was, for some reason, a bit of traffic
0:08:30 > 0:08:32so he's had to try and swerve to avoid,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35clipped one of them and he's overturned.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Thankfully, there's been no injuries
0:08:37 > 0:08:40but he's had a lucky escape, to be honest.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44And paramedics have also given the driver of the silver 4x4
0:08:44 > 0:08:46the all-clear.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49With traffic still moving past,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Scott's keen to get him off the carriageway,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55so police escort him and his damaged vehicle away.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59With everyone safe,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Peter and Scott can now concentrate on trying to clear the carriageway.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06We're keeping lane two running for the moment.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09We've got recovery en route for the LGV.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12When it's getting righted, we will have to put a full stop
0:09:12 > 0:09:14on the carriageway just to get it back on its wheels.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19But moving the lorry could be harder than they think.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Scott's just discovered its beginning to leak its load
0:09:24 > 0:09:26all over the carriageway.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Yes, yes. That is containing milk
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and it has started to go into the gully.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34The lorry was transporting 3,000 litres of milk
0:09:34 > 0:09:36from Leeds to Gateshead.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It may not sound like a hazardous fluid but if it's not stopped
0:09:41 > 0:09:44it could have an impact on the local environment.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46A little bit can cause a big danger.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48If it gets into drains and gets into the water works,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51it could kill fish and all sorts of things.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Using a specialist absorbent,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57the team mop up the leaks as best they can...
0:09:58 > 0:10:02..but as the recovery cranes arrive to right the lorry,
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Peter's worried that disturbing the load
0:10:04 > 0:10:06could make the spill even worse.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It's full of milk cartons. Some of them have burst open.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14We won't really know anything else now until they right the vehicle.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17If the whole load spills,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Peter and Scott could face an environmental threat
0:10:20 > 0:10:22on top of the traffic problems already unfolding.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27It's going to be a testing morning for the traffic officers.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37More than 100 miles south in Bradford,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41a young Olympic hopeful is about to set off on a very important journey
0:10:41 > 0:10:43down the A1.
0:10:52 > 0:10:5523-year-old Pippa Allen is preparing her horse, Hope Springs,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58for one of the most important competitions
0:10:58 > 0:10:59of their showjumping career.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06They've qualified for the under-23s British Championship final at
0:11:06 > 0:11:09the London International Horse Show,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12the biggest event in the showjumping calendar.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14I love riding him cos you feel like
0:11:14 > 0:11:16you can jump any height of fence on him.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19He's really brave and he's actually...
0:11:19 > 0:11:24For a big horse, he's really fast in the jump offs, which is handy.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Pippa's been riding since the tender age of one and she's
0:11:29 > 0:11:31now a world-class competitor.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35In the final, she'll be up against the best riders in the country,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37including her younger sister.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40My sister, Millie, is also competing there. She's 19.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45She's a bit younger than me but we're always in the same
0:11:45 > 0:11:48classes and it gets really competitive between us.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Perhaps fortunately, then,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54the sisters aren't travelling together today.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Do you want my ropes as well or should I just leave them there?
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Instead, along for the ride are friend and fellow competitor Sally,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04her horse, Maddy, and two other horses.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Top-class showjumpers like these can be worth more than £100,000
0:12:11 > 0:12:14and take around seven years to train,
0:12:14 > 0:12:19so ensuring they don't injure themselves in transit is vital.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21These specially designed travel boots will protect
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Hope Springs' fragile legs on the 200-mile journey.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Responsible for transporting these precious beasts and their riders
0:12:32 > 0:12:34is Pippa's boyfriend, Stevie.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40With a 5.5-hour journey ahead, they're keen to hit the road.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47And, as they set off, Stevie has high hopes for his passengers.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Yeah, it would be good to see if one of the girls won,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Pippa or Sally. It'd be great.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It be great if one of them won. It'd be good.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Make the ride home a lot easier!
0:12:58 > 0:13:01With competitions all over the country,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05the A1's a well-travelled route for the showjumpers,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09and Stevie's priority is always his passengers in the back.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13When you're travelling with horses, you've just got to make sure
0:13:13 > 0:13:15you leave enough room from the vehicles in front
0:13:15 > 0:13:18cos obviously you don't want to be stopping too sudden, you know.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21You try and ease everything when you're slowing down,
0:13:21 > 0:13:22just take your time.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25We have the camera in the truck to check the horses, make sure they're
0:13:25 > 0:13:28travelling OK, and just try and keep it as smooth as you can, really.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32But while the horses appear calm, in the front,
0:13:32 > 0:13:37with every passing mile, competition nerves are starting to build.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41I think it's a good partnership so hopefully we'll be lucky on the day.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44He feels on top form, so fingers crossed.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52There's a lot at stake and the peace in the lorry could shortly
0:13:52 > 0:13:55be shattered as they've arranged to pick up another horse
0:13:55 > 0:13:57that can be a bit of a handful.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I think this horse is a little bit tricky to load.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03He doesn't like travelling on his own and he won't go in the trailer.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I'm going to put him in the second space
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and hopefully he should be fine.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14Stevie can only hope the horse doesn't literally kick off...
0:14:14 > 0:14:18as they continue along the highway in pursuit of sporting glory.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28As their journey south continues in relative calm,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32the same can't be said more than 200 miles north near Edinburgh.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40A1 patrol officers PCs Stewart Logan and Davey Johnson are
0:14:40 > 0:14:45at the scene of a horrific head-on collision between a car and a van.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Luckily, the driver of the van has escaped with just minor injuries.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01But a 72-year-old passenger is still in the back of the car
0:15:01 > 0:15:05with a suspected broken leg and suffering severe abdominal pain.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07PASSENGER GROANS IN PAIN
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Aggh! No!
0:15:10 > 0:15:12He urgently needs medical attention.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21You've not far to go.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27So far, the man's injuries have made paramedics apprehensive about moving
0:15:27 > 0:15:31him from the vehicle, but they need to transport him to hospital.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32PASSENGER GROANS
0:15:34 > 0:15:36With his condition not improving,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40they decide he'll have to make a painful exit from the car.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43GROANING CONTINUES
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Finally, after 15 minutes, he's free from the vehicle.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Is most of the pain coming from your left leg?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Leg and his chest.- Just the left.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59The injured man is an American tourist on holiday
0:15:59 > 0:16:01with his wife and friends.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04They were due to fly home in the next 24 hours,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07but with the man needing hospital treatment,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10it could be weeks before he's well enough to travel.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15The main concern is down to age. The gentleman's 72.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18People's bodies just can't cope with the same level of injury
0:16:18 > 0:16:21as younger people can, so we therefore have to be quite tentative
0:16:21 > 0:16:23about how we go about dealing with it.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26The man's injuries are serious,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30but Stewart knows things could have been significantly worse.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34In a collision of this level, if both vehicles had been older,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36then, yes, you'll be looking
0:16:36 > 0:16:38probably at more serious injuries on the...
0:16:38 > 0:16:41certainly the driver of the Nissan,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44because they'll have taken quite a whack of the impact.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Everybody involved in the crash was wearing a seat belt
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and that will have saved their lives.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55You could be the driver of this van, driving along the road,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59minding completely your own business, and then two seconds later
0:16:59 > 0:17:01a vehicle crosses your path and you're involved
0:17:01 > 0:17:03in a head-on collision with it.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Anyone who thinks, "I'll be OK, I'm only going two minutes up the road,"
0:17:07 > 0:17:10well, this is the consequence of the things that we witness
0:17:10 > 0:17:11and you just never know.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15As the man is taken to hospital,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Stewart and Davey get to work clearing the road,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21so that some of the local traffic can get moving again.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25We're going to tow this vehicle back a bit, using our X5,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28so that we can at least get the road partially open,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31so we're going to connect the towing eye up, drag the vehicle back,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and at least we can get a contraflow going on one side of the road.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38While the clear-up continues, some of the surrounding roads
0:17:38 > 0:17:43must stay closed, but not everyone wants to follow the police signs.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45If you wait there for us.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48Can you wait there for us?
0:17:55 > 0:17:58We have road closed signs at both ends of this road
0:17:58 > 0:17:59and as you can see,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02people come along and just say, "Oh, well, I'll just drive through it..."
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- All right.- All right.- OK.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13..paying absolutely no consideration for what that sign means.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It means the road's closed, so if it says closed,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17it means you cannae drive through it.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Is there still a sign in the middle of the road
0:18:20 > 0:18:21- saying the road's closed?- Yes.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23'You know, you have to remember'
0:18:23 > 0:18:25there's people's safety at risk here.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27I'm out sweeping up debris in the middle of the road
0:18:27 > 0:18:31and you're coming battering along on a national speed limit road
0:18:31 > 0:18:34just because you've decided you can't be bothered
0:18:34 > 0:18:35complying with a road closed sign.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39You know, they're there for a reason, so if you see one,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42then please do what it says.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Before long, the van and the car are recovered
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and the road's treated to soak up any oil and fuel spillages.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55As the traffic starts to flow again,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Stewart and Davey can finally head back to the A1.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Nearly 120 miles south of rural Scotland
0:19:08 > 0:19:11is one of the busiest sections of the A1 near Durham.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's here traffic officers Peter Senior and Scott Wilson
0:19:16 > 0:19:18are dealing with a serious accident.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26A lorry carrying 3,000 litres of milk has overturned.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28The driver has escaped unhurt,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31but his load is leaking all over the carriageway,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34with potentially devastating effects for local wildlife.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41It's a dramatic scene and passing drivers are slowing down to look,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45so Scott needs to try and keep everything moving.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48People slow up and it is a danger and it also hinders the traffic
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and makes traffic further back slow down and there can
0:19:51 > 0:19:54be further shunts further and further back,
0:19:54 > 0:19:55not even close to this incident.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57So, yes, it is a safety concern -
0:19:57 > 0:19:59rubbernecking and slowing down.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03It's going to take two heavy recovery vehicles
0:20:03 > 0:20:04to right the 17-tonne lorry
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and the road will need to be clear.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10We do have to stop the whole carriageway
0:20:10 > 0:20:13to get the vehicle back on its wheels, so it is going to cause
0:20:13 > 0:20:18a few further delays, but it's just one of those unfortunate things.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22The specialist recovery team get started,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26raising the lorry with inflating cushions and onto wooden blocks.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34They can then secure the winch underneath, ready to pull.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- Is it getting ready now, is it? - I would think so.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40It's time for Scott to step out into the traffic to shut the road.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Reporting Alpha Charlie Echo 41.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46That's the traffic stopped by hand. Over.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Now, mate, you shouldn't be stopped too long.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55We're just going to re-right it. As soon as it's back up on its wheels,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- there's no debris in lane two, I'll let you go, mate.- All right.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02But as the recovery truck starts to pull the lorry
0:21:02 > 0:21:05slowly onto its wheels, there's a problem.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11As they're starting to winch the truck over,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14because all the cargo's lying against the side of the wagon,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18the side's starting to split out of it, so what their concern is,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21if they get it so far, and it suddenly bursts,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24we're going to have milk burst all over the carriageway.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29The consequences would be disastrous,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32so the team have no choice but to stop.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37The lorry's sides simply aren't designed to bear
0:21:37 > 0:21:41the three-tonne weight of the load and so they need to secure them
0:21:41 > 0:21:44with heavy-duty straps before they can continue.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49But with the road closed, and traffic building,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51they need to work quickly.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Closing the road is a huge decision for traffic officers
0:22:00 > 0:22:04and it can happen because of breakdowns, rather than accidents.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Further south on the A1 in Doncaster,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11it's a chilly Friday morning.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17RAC patrol Noel Bonner has just started his shift.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20The roads can be a little bit busier on Fridays.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It can cause a little bit of traffic.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27This stretch of the A1 - there's very little hard shoulder,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29so it makes it quite dangerous when people break down.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Within a few minutes of joining the road,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Noel receives his first call-out of the day.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39We've just got a job on the Doncaster bypass, so the A1M.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41We've got a vehicle that's got a puncture.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44It's got a blowout and it's got no spare with it,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47so we're going to go and see what we can sort out with that.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Beacons on, indicator on, to say we're pulling up.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57It looks like a family outing.
0:23:01 > 0:23:0359-year-old grandmother Janet
0:23:03 > 0:23:06was driving alone when her tyre blew out.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Hiya. Who's Janet? Hi, Janet. Right.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13We'll get something sorted for you and get you on your way.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Well, I was driving from my house to my daughter's
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and then I heard a noise, pulled over and found my tyre out.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24I phoned my daughter up and she's come out with friends to my rescue.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28It didn't make a big bang, it was just making like a rumbling noise,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31so I pulled over, climbed across the passenger seat,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34and got out this way and that's when I saw it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37It's been really scary.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Shocked me. It has shocked me.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46With no spare wheel in Janet's car, Noel has to use a special one
0:23:46 > 0:23:48he carries that fits most makes of vehicles.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Wheel's going to be fine. It's just where it's shredded,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54just makes it more difficult to pull them off. That's all.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00He's doing really well. Yeah. Class service. Brilliant.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02He's definitely my hero.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Noel knows the hard shoulder is no place to gather your family...
0:24:07 > 0:24:10..because on average around 50 people are killed
0:24:10 > 0:24:13or seriously injured in accidents at the roadside every year.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16You don't realise how fast the vehicles are going
0:24:16 > 0:24:17while you're stood here.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- They are going at some speed.- Yeah.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26This is what scared me. I didn't like being out here on my own.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28- Yeah.- Because you don't know.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30I mean, one car were indicating and I thought,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33"He's going to indicate and come into the back of me."
0:24:35 > 0:24:41Within just 25 minutes, Noel has got Janet's car ready to rejoin the A1.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- She'll laugh about it tonight when she's in bed.- Yeah.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- When I'm nice and warm in bed.- Yeah.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- Get me electric blanket on.- Yes.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Keep on the hard shoulder because you're within 200 yards.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Just take your time and then just watch out for any traffic
0:24:58 > 0:25:00that's coming off to then merge into it.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Noel has got Janet safely away from a dangerous situation.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07The majority of the time we're helping people
0:25:07 > 0:25:09on the A1 who are happy to see you.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12They're happy that they're going to get something sorted.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Along with the road noise and the wind and the chill factor,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19it does make it a scary place to be.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Noel and his colleagues deal with around 3,500 breakdowns on the A1
0:25:30 > 0:25:35every year and around 30 miles south in Nottinghamshire is another group
0:25:35 > 0:25:38who are desperate not to end up stranded by the roadside.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Olympic hopeful Pippa Allen and fellow showjumper Sally
0:25:45 > 0:25:48are on their way to the London International Horse Show
0:25:48 > 0:25:50with Pippa's boyfriend Stevie at the wheel.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56For everyone going to Olympia, it's like everyone's got a very good
0:25:56 > 0:26:02chance of doing well there, so it depends how it goes on the day.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06And as well as worrying about her own performance,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Pippa will also be looking out for her little sister Millie.
0:26:09 > 0:26:16She's very competitive. I get really nervous when she's in the ring.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18I really want her to do well,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21but hopefully we both do well and it works out.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24An hour after leaving home,
0:26:24 > 0:26:29the horses appear happy and relaxed on Stevie's onboard camera,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33but they're about to get a new equine companion who's not as keen
0:26:33 > 0:26:35on the A1 road trip as they are.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Stevie's turning off the A1 at Newark to collect Kantho,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44a jittery gelding also heading for the competition.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54And Kantho has already decided he's not keen on this luxury transport.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Luckily, this horse can be led to hay, if not to water.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06He's on.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08With Kantho safely onboard,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Stevie and the girls can get back on the road.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It's a steady trot for the next leg of the journey and by five o'clock,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27they're about to hit the capital, just in time for rush hour.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Just getting to central London now.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32It's quite busy and the roads are quite tight around here,
0:27:32 > 0:27:37so just got to keep concentrating, keep an eye out for other cars.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Weaving this 20-foot lorry through central London is
0:27:42 > 0:27:47no mean feat, but finally the bright lights of Olympia come into view.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52After a five-and-a half hour journey,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56it's a welcome sight for everyone, including the horses.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Pippa is keen to check Hope Springs is OK.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06He's travelled really well. He's fine.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10He seems quite excited to be here, so it's always a good sign.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16And Hope Springs is not the only one picking up on the atmosphere.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I'm excited about tomorrow, also a little bit nervous.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24I think everyone is, just really want to do well.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26It's been a long time preparing for it,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28be nice to finish the year on a win.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34He'll bed down here for the night, ready for his big day tomorrow.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50The next morning, it's competition time and Olympia is buzzing.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57As the press and spectators begin to arrive,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Pippa takes Hope Springs for a warm-up around the course.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03It's a chance to finally stretch his legs
0:29:03 > 0:29:06after his 200 mile trip on the A1.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11There's really big seating around and lots of crowd,
0:29:11 > 0:29:15and it's quite a tight arena with a big atmosphere,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18so sometimes the horses can get a bit nervous about that.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Luckily, Hope Springs takes it all in his stride.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Yeah, he felt really good. Very good.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- HORSE NICKERS - Should be ready for later now.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37But as their big moment approaches, Pippa's feeling the pressure.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41It's a big competition, and we've,
0:29:41 > 0:29:46we've kind of prepared all year really to get here.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48So very excited and nervous all at the same time.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52It all hangs on the next few hours,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55and how the pair perform in the ring.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Tension is in the air too, back on the A1.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06270 miles north of the capital near Durham,
0:30:06 > 0:30:10traffic officers are still dealing with an overturned truck
0:30:10 > 0:30:12that's carrying 3,000 litres of milk.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Concerned that the pressure of the load could cause the sides
0:30:18 > 0:30:20of the lorry to burst any second,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23the recovery team have been forced to stop the winch.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Scott has no choice but to reopen the outside lane
0:30:28 > 0:30:32while they try and secure the sides to prevent a major spill.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Our aim is to keep traffic moving, that's why we're here.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42So instead of having it all stopped while they put more straps round it,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45it's safe enough to keep things moving in lane two.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Then when they're ready, I'll stop it again by hand and then
0:30:48 > 0:30:51we'll go and try and re-right it again.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53It's now 11am.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Peter and Scott have been at the scene for three-and-a-half hours.
0:30:59 > 0:31:00There are massive tailbacks,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03but this is one job the recovery team can't rush.
0:31:04 > 0:31:09Soon, the heavy-duty straps are in place, and they're ready to go.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12So once again, Scott needs to stop the traffic.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13Charlie Echo 4-1.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16We've just temporarily hand-stopped traffic while they reposition
0:31:16 > 0:31:19this LGV, over.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25A mechanical winch begins to lift the truck.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30While a second cable on the other side ensures the lorry,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33and its precarious cargo, is lowered very gently.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42They've managed to get the wagon back on its wheels.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Luckily the big extra strap they put round
0:31:45 > 0:31:47prevented the side from bursting over.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Some milk is still leaking.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55But thankfully, it's only minor, and the team are able to shovel it away.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Now the priority is to get the traffic moving.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05As the milk lorry is towed away,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Scott and Peter remove the cones
0:32:07 > 0:32:10and traffic is released into the inside lane.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Alpha, Charlie Echo 4-1.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15That's the lane one closure now removed,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17you can reset your signs, over.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Finally, after more than four hours, Peter and Scott can be on their way.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29And the major spill they feared has been averted.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37If it had gone, it would have caused a lot of problems.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It's one of the worst things you can spill, isn't it, milk?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Why, there's no point crying over spilt milk, is there?
0:32:44 > 0:32:45That's true. So they say.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Thankfully, overturned milk lorries
0:32:56 > 0:32:59aren't an everyday occurrence on the A1.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01But sadly, speeding motorists are.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Going too fast is one of the main factors
0:33:07 > 0:33:10in fatal accidents on Britain's roads.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16And it's estimated that on 70mph dual carriageways,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20over a third of drivers still exceed the speed limit.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25It's a constant problem for the A1 police patrols,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27especially in roadworks
0:33:27 > 0:33:31when speed restrictions are in place to protect workers.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35CAMERA BEEPS
0:33:35 > 0:33:3761.
0:33:40 > 0:33:4267.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45That's absolutely outrageous, 67mph in a 40.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50On the A1 near Newcastle,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53PC Alan Keenleyside is on the lookout for speeding drivers...
0:33:55 > 0:33:59..in a 50 mile an hour stretch of roadworks near Dunston.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06So, I've got colleagues of mine from our partner agencies,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10from Highways England, from construction firms,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14actually working on the road surface of the A1 northbound tonight.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19And clearly the dangers of speeding on the roads,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21you know, cars...
0:34:22 > 0:34:24..they're dangerous things, they're weapons,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26to all intents and purposes.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30This exact stretch of road here last year saw
0:34:30 > 0:34:33a fatal road traffic collision at high speed.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37One vehicle lost control,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39overturned and the driver of that vehicle was killed.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47It's Friday night, the most common day of the week to have an accident.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50And Alan doesn't want speeders taking any chances
0:34:50 > 0:34:52with the lives of the workforce on the road.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59And it's not long before he spots a clear offender.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06His onboard camera shows the car in front in the outside lane
0:35:06 > 0:35:07travelling well over 80mph.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18Using a detection device, he's able to record the car's average speed.
0:35:18 > 0:35:2188 miles an hour in a 50.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And the driver's not done yet.
0:35:27 > 0:35:28And he's getting quicker.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Alan has to get up to more than 90mph to catch up.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35Flash the blue lights.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39It's time to pull this driver over.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44We've got roadworks on with a full road closure
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and I've got the driver at 88mph,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49so we'll be stopping this driver and having a word.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54I think this is a driver that potentially knows
0:35:54 > 0:35:56he's possibly in a spot of bother.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Hello, how are you? Do you know why I've stopped you this evening?
0:36:04 > 0:36:06What sort of speed do you think you were doing
0:36:06 > 0:36:08when I put the blue lights on to alert you?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- Um, 70, 80?- 70, 80? OK. And the speed limit is?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- 50.- 50.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17I've got it recorded at 88mph. OK?
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The average stopping distance for a car doing 80mph
0:36:21 > 0:36:23is over 130 metres.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26The equivalent of 29 car lengths.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27Jump in the back seat over there.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30A collision with road workers or their equipment
0:36:30 > 0:36:33would almost certainly have resulted in fatalities.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39So, it took you 14.705 seconds, all right?
0:36:39 > 0:36:44To cover a distance of 0.3604 miles.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46So that equates to your average speed being
0:36:46 > 0:36:4988 miles an hour in a 50.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Certainly way over the top, isn't it? Any reason why?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Appreciate you're on your way home from work, all right?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01But there's actually guys on this bit of the road here
0:37:01 > 0:37:02who are at work on the A1.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05And you're barrelling into their roadworks doing 88mph.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Seriously not cool.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12The driver is immediately facing penalty points and a fine.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence
0:37:15 > 0:37:17if you don't mention now something you later rely on in court.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25I don't usually speed, I usually stick to the speed limit.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Just a bit eager to get home today.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Probably lucky I'm not losing my licence.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42For Alan, this has been a typical Friday night job.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44People have had a pretty rubbish week at work
0:37:44 > 0:37:47and they just want to get home to the wife and kids.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49But do you know what, it doesn't matter how bad your week's been,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52don't bring that frustration, that tiredness, onto the A1.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Because people get hurt on the A1
0:37:54 > 0:37:56and that's the last thing anybody wants.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Alan's shift is drawing to a close.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08But 280 miles away in Kensington Olympia,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12it's the start of a big day for showjumper Pippa Allen.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20At the London International Horse Show,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23it's crunch time for the Olympic hopeful.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Combi's quite tricky after that corner, isn't it?
0:38:31 > 0:38:34There's just time for one last walk of the course
0:38:34 > 0:38:36before the competition begins.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Looks all right, it looks nice, it's technical enough,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44everything comes quite quick off the corners,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47you're going to have to keep thinking, try and keep it smooth.
0:38:47 > 0:38:48But apart from that it seems fine.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Today's the culmination of a whole year's training.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Even if you're having a fantastic round,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58you can have one down or even a couple of mistakes,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00anything can happen in there, really.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It's just about being lucky on the day.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08People will be competing against the country's top young showjumpers,
0:39:08 > 0:39:10including her younger sister, Millie.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12We went to Liverpool last year,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16it was very close, there was 0.02 of a second between us.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Pippa was on the winning side of it,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21so maybe if it did get to that point this year, I'm definitely
0:39:21 > 0:39:25going to try and go that little bit faster to be on the winning side.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28We definitely have a strong rivalry,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31but, you know, I always want her to do well as well.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Maybe just not quite as good as me!
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Today, Millie gets to set the pace as she's first in the ring,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42while Pippa watches anxiously from the side.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51She's knocked down a fence,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54but she could still get through to the second round.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01The top 10 riders come back in the second round, into the jump-off.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05So hopefully she might get back in if her time was fast enough.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Next up, it's Pippa's friend Sally.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15But she gets off to a bad start. And with a slow time, she's knocked out.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Pippa and Hope Springs are up next.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26And boyfriend Stevie is on tenterhooks.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27BELL RINGS
0:40:36 > 0:40:38A pole down means four faults.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40To get through to the next round,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Pippa knows it's now all about speed.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55But as the faults mount...
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Pippa's hopes are shattered.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- PA:- 'Four down, 16 points for Pippa Allen and Hope Springs.'
0:41:06 > 0:41:08It's a massive disappointment.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11She had a couple down, she had an early fence and then she was
0:41:11 > 0:41:13trying to get into the top 10, make the jump-off,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17so trying to be bit quicker and then she had a couple more. So...
0:41:19 > 0:41:20Couldn't have gotten much worse.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24It was pretty terrible.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Gutted, really, because I thought I had a good chance,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31he felt like he was going well.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33It just didn't work out on the day,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35but it's kind of what happens in showjumping.
0:41:35 > 0:41:40Sometimes it's great, and sometimes it's very upsetting.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It's all over for Pippa.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51But sister Millie still has a chance,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53as she's through to the jump-off.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05It's a clear round with a fast time.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06Well done, little bubby.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11And a good result and consolation for Pippa.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Millie's just come fifth in that class,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16she had one down in the first round then she did a really good jump-off.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19She was fast and she did really well.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Yeah, I'm really pleased with Balou,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24he jumped his socks off and I couldn't ask for a better horse.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29The day's left Pippa with mixed emotions,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33but as the saying goes, hope springs eternal.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39And as the pair prepare to head home, there's always next year.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48The American tourist who was injured in the head-on collision
0:42:48 > 0:42:50spent more than three weeks in hospital
0:42:50 > 0:42:53before returning home to the States to continue his recovery.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58And just a month later, Pippa and Hope Springs returned to
0:42:58 > 0:43:02winning form with a showjumping first place at Aintree.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Next time, a horrific crash...
0:43:07 > 0:43:09..with devastating consequences.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12The rear end of that vehicle is unrecognisable.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15The race to rescue drivers...
0:43:15 > 0:43:16HE WHISTLES
0:43:16 > 0:43:18..caught in a four car collision.
0:43:18 > 0:43:211-3, all vehicles cleared of the lane two now.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24And the lorries putting lives at risk.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28This is a fuel tank and somebody's just put a plastic bag in.