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 > 0:01:49- Keep going! Steady!- And after a six-hour journey on the A1,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52will this pampered pooch bring home the big prize?
0:01:52 > 0:01:53Pretty stiff competition,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56so if we do well, we've done ready well.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06The Great North Road passes through 18 different counties,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08more than any other highway in the UK.
0:02:11 > 0:02:1515 different police forces patrol it.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18One of their key roles is to crack down on those using the road
0:02:18 > 0:02:20to plan and carry out crimes.
0:02:23 > 0:02:24Just south of Newcastle,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28PC Alan Keenleyside is lying in wait for the latest suspect.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34We're on the A1, we've got a vehicle over on the A19.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37So we're trying to shut off any access south.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Alan has intelligence to suggest
0:02:40 > 0:02:42a suspected stolen car is heading south
0:02:42 > 0:02:46on the A1, but tonight visibility could hamper the operation.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49The problem is, with the traffic this time of night,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51it's quite hard to spot registration numbers.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54It's a very dirty time of year.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56The salt and things on the roads.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02But even in the gloom of a wet winter night...
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Yeah, I think it's just gone past us.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06It was Alpha-Foxtrot.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08..Alan's eyes don't let him down.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11It was a little Fiesta, looked like red or orange,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15starting A-F. That's all I saw.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Southbound. I'm just trying to see where it's gone.
0:03:22 > 0:03:2512-34, it was one of around 12, 15 vehicles
0:03:25 > 0:03:28that went past in a batch.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32I certainly can't see it. I'm just heading towards the 690 now.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Alan needs to check the registration plate with the control room
0:03:37 > 0:03:39to confirm that he has the right car.
0:03:40 > 0:03:4212-34, Alpha-Foxtrot-One-Five.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Yeah, that could be it. Southbound, approaching 690.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51No attempt to stop. Low risk. Speed seven-zero.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56It's definitely the right car, but Alan has to wait to make his move.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Backup is en route, but if this driver gets spooked,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03it could end in a risky high-speed chase.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Weather's dry. He's moved to lane two,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07back into lane one.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Approaching the one-mile marker for the 690.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Then, as the car turns off the A1...
0:04:13 > 0:04:14MUFFLED RADIO MESSAGE
0:04:14 > 0:04:16..Alan gets a break.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Approaching red light now at the 690.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24That's him there.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26SIREN WAILS
0:04:31 > 0:04:32All right.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Stand slack, all right?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Take a seat in my car, momentarily, all right?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Good man.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We've had a report that this car is stolen.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- All right?- Stolen?!- Yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51All right, take a seat, we'll find out what's going on.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Driver's detained.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Vehicle stopped. No injuries, no damage.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Have you got the keys, bud?
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Erm, aye, it's a keyless entry thing.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Keyless entry. Two seconds.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05We'll sort it. We'll get around
0:05:05 > 0:05:07off the slip road and we'll sort it there.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13To minimise disruption to the A1,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16the suspected stolen car needs to be moved to a quieter location.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21What's your occupation? What's your job?
0:05:23 > 0:05:24Unemployed.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29But then, as Alan starts to question the driver,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33he becomes aware of another potential breach of the law.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Have you been drinking, mate?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- Mm?- I smell alcohol on you.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I'm not saying you're over the limit.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40All I'm saying is, I can smell drink on you.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41- All right.- OK?
0:05:44 > 0:05:48The officers have pulled off a textbook interception tonight.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50But stopping the driver is only the beginning.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I'm going to caution you. You do not have to say anything but it may harm
0:05:53 > 0:05:56your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which
0:05:56 > 0:05:58you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I now require you to provide a specimen of breath,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03as I have reasonable cause to suspect you of driving
0:06:03 > 0:06:06a motor vehicle having alcohol in your body.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10And that's because I can smell intoxicating liquor on your breath.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Alan now has not only a potential stolen car to deal with,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16but a drink-driver, too.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18It's going to be a testing shift.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Statistically, there is an increased risk of being involved in
0:06:25 > 0:06:29a serious accident on the A1 in wet and foggy conditions.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31It means traffic officers need to be
0:06:31 > 0:06:34extra vigilant when patrolling in bad weather.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Now, in South Yorkshire,
0:06:36 > 0:06:37Paul Day and Rob Larkin
0:06:37 > 0:06:39are battling through
0:06:39 > 0:06:41a miserable January rush hour.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43One-three.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46We're just passing the Texaco garage, 38-39.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47On the Alpha - over.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49'One-Three, we've had an update from the police,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52'the driver of the LGV was apparently out in the carriageway.'
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Weather conditions today are dark, wet, raining,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57and a bit of spray on the road as well,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00so it's making visibility quite limited.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07As day breaks, they receive a report
0:07:07 > 0:07:10that a broken-down lorry is blocking the southbound carriageway
0:07:10 > 0:07:14just past the junction for the M62.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18We've got a further report now that it's a container wagon in lane one.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Officers deal with around 4,500 breakdowns a year.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28A third of them are where a vehicle stops in a live lane,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31posing a real danger to all other motorists.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33No traffic, no hard shoulder.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38So what we do is we set it up, ready for a lane stop.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42And...there it is.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Charlie-Echo-One-Three.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We've got a live lane coming out here.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Just watch traffic coming there. Yeah?
0:07:54 > 0:07:55With traffic building quickly,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58it's vital the officers work as fast as possible.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03The rain and poor visibility are only making matters worse.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- 'Ey up, drive?- Morning.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07What's wrong with it, mate?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11What we'll do...
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Leave it running.- Yep.- We'll come round the front of you,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15we'll get somebody round the front of you
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and we'll get somebody onto the hard shoulder, clear this lane.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Hotel-Alpha-Charlie-Echo-One-Three.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24This vehicle's gearbox has failed.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28He does have air. Do we have a second unit can come and help us?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Rob and Paul are under pressure to reopen the lane.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35A recovery truck is en route, but that could waste valuable time.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39So a backup Highways England vehicle is the quickest option.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41If you stay in your cab, we'll sort it out.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43I'll give you the thumbs up when he's ready.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Knock your brake off and we're going there.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The other officers arrive within minutes,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54meaning the stranded lorry can be moved out of harm's way.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Keep going. Steady.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Probably 40 tonne. Shifted nice and easy.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12He's just talking to his boss now for a recovery.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14We'll wait for that. And he'll get back to us in a second.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18With the lorry shifted and recovery en route,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Paul and Rob can now concentrate on getting the traffic flowing again.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Hotel-Alpha-Charlie-Echo-One-Three. We can go back to 42 as well.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Thanks to Charlie-Xray-One-Two.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Keep your eye on traffic behind you. Don't want owt to go wrong.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Right.- All right?- That's OK.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Are you happy? - Thanks for your help.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37No worries, cock. Thank you.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41With the road reopened and traffic flowing,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43there's just one thing left to do.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47HE HONKS HORN
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Translated - "Put your hazard lights on!"
0:09:51 > 0:09:53But the lorry driver doesn't understand.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01It's been a successful morning.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03He's got it, by Jove.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Rob and Paul's swift action means the A1 has been reopened within
0:10:06 > 0:10:1020 minutes, and the result is the danger for drivers
0:10:10 > 0:10:12has been kept to a minimum.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Over in Hull, a dog-loving couple
0:10:21 > 0:10:24are hoping that a clear run
0:10:24 > 0:10:26down the A1 will end in glory.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28DOG BARKS
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Yes! Yes! Yes!
0:10:31 > 0:10:34SHE MIMICS DOG'S GROWLS
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Debbi and Martin Palmer are proud owners
0:10:36 > 0:10:40of four prize-winning Old English sheepdogs.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Sausage! Sausage!
0:10:44 > 0:10:47We're both dog lovers, really, but I'm the one that's a bit more crazy.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Oh, good boy!
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Debbi spoils them.- Ready? Sit.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Whereas I'll treat them as a dog. - Good girl, good boy.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Debbi's the one that'll go off and buy them toys, teddies.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00She makes sure they're comfortable.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01More than comfortable.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03DEBBI LAUGHS
0:11:03 > 0:11:05I make sure they have everything they need.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08And more. Seeing as you ask so nicely.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10The dogs get treated better than me.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- LAUGHING:- Aww, that's not fair. - No, but they do.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Tomorrow, it will be the turn of
0:11:16 > 0:11:19three-year-old Priya to step into the spotlight...
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Come on, then.- ..when Martin and Debbi head 180 miles
0:11:23 > 0:11:25down the A1 to Cambridgeshire
0:11:25 > 0:11:28for the East Anglian Old English Sheepdog Championship Show.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Priya is just the sweetest temperament.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38She's just fabulous. She's just so loving and so pretty in her face.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41You can see her eyes are really, really dark.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43And she's got the most amazing face.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46I love her to the moon and back.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48And with Crufts only a few months away,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51it's one of the most important shows on the calendar.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Hopefully, you know, if she moves right on the day,
0:11:54 > 0:11:55everything's got to come together.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00She's got to look right, to feel right and to move right.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04If we didn't think we could win, then we wouldn't be going.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- With such a glamorous prize on offer...- So we'll try a triangle.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Come.- ..Priya needs to put in a bit of practice.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16'We have practised an awful lot from when she was a tiny puppy.'
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Good girl!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21'We practise every week some form of training or other.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I'm still working on her...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29not pulling to one side when we are trying to go round the corner.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33She was quite close to me and I want her to be the same sort of distance
0:12:33 > 0:12:35from me all the way round the ring.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37So that's what we need to practise on.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44But with the competition just 36 hours away...
0:12:44 > 0:12:45There's a good girl!
0:12:45 > 0:12:48..Debbi has other priorities...
0:12:48 > 0:12:49No. You're not going out yet.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52..because Priya needs to look her very best.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54We're done! We're done!
0:12:55 > 0:12:56DEBBI LAUGHS
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Just grooming her through to show standard
0:13:02 > 0:13:04will probably take me another...
0:13:04 > 0:13:06from top to bottom, another couple of hours.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11But with a long journey ahead down the A1,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Priya isn't always the best traveller.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17The mat here is to protect the floor of the car.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21This is where, if she's poorly, as she's not too good on travelling,
0:13:21 > 0:13:22it's easy to clean up.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Debbi sorted out travel sickness tablets
0:13:24 > 0:13:26and certain things to give her
0:13:26 > 0:13:27to help her travel better.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Travel sickness on almost every single trip.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34We've got her, basically, she's show-ready.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38She's washed and bathed, her ears have been cleaned,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41so she's pretty much ready to go to the show now.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43So what I have to do is make sure I keep her clean.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48For every show, Debbi needs to be super-organised
0:13:48 > 0:13:50and has a long checklist.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I've got a towel with me.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- Right.- So...I'm hoping I've got everything, Martin.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58It's just a case of making sure everything fits in
0:13:58 > 0:14:03the best you can. It's all about the dog comfort as well, let alone ours.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Is there anything else to go in? - That's it now. Just my handbag.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Good girl. In you go.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11That's it. Good girl. Mind your tail.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Heading onto the A1,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23it's a stretch of road that Martin is very familiar with.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28What we do, we travel up and down the A1 quite a lot.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Personally, I'd rather use the A1 over the M1.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35The M1 is too busy, too many roadworks, there's Newark,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38there's Peterborough, there's...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41quite a few shows up and down the A1 and going north.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42So, I love the A1.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45I think it's just the best road going.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47But though Martin may love the road,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51it seems Debbi might not be as organised as she thought.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56What we'll do when we get there is, we'll...
0:14:56 > 0:14:57- Oh, my God!- What?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- You forgot her food bowls? - I've forgotten her food.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03SHE LAUGHS
0:15:05 > 0:15:06How could I be so stupid?
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- Saying nothing.- Never mind. - We'll find something.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Yeah, we'll find something for her.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14This is where we end up with loads of bowls at home.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15This is not the first time.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17This isn't the first time it's happened.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18We end up going to... Pets Are Us.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Pets At Home or Pets Are Us, or somewhere.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Get a bowl, get some food.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Yeah.- So we end up with hundreds of bowls at home.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26How could I...?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28SHE SIGHS
0:15:30 > 0:15:32With 40 miles to go,
0:15:32 > 0:15:33Martin can only hope Debbi hasn't
0:15:33 > 0:15:35got any more surprises before Priya's star turn.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Last year, more than 500 vehicles were stolen across
0:15:46 > 0:15:48the Northumbria Police area.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Just off the A1, ten miles south of Newcastle,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55officers are still dealing with a car that's been reported as stolen.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57You're not under arrest, all right?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00You're detained until we can find out what's gone on.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02But PC Alan Keenleyside also believes
0:16:02 > 0:16:04the suspect may have been drinking,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07so wants to conduct a breathalyser.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10But while he's sitting in the police car on his own,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13the driver put something in his mouth.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18What have you just put in your mouth?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20A pound coin? Why?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23There's a common myth that sucking on a coin can change
0:16:23 > 0:16:25the alcohol reading on the test.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28You've just swallowed a pound coin?
0:16:28 > 0:16:29So is it for the drink?
0:16:30 > 0:16:31ALAN LAUGHS
0:16:31 > 0:16:33After reading the suspect his rights,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Alan conducts the breathalyser.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Blow nicely into that. After three or four seconds you'll hear
0:16:39 > 0:16:41an audible click and I'll tell you to stop.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Blow. Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going...
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Stop! Well done.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47BREATHALYSER BLEEPS
0:16:47 > 0:16:49You've failed.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51The legal limit's 35.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54You are not much over but you're over.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57The legal limit's 35. You've blown 48.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59The breath test indicates the proportion of alcohol
0:16:59 > 0:17:01in your breath exceeds the prescribed limit.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04I'm arresting you and taking you to...
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Durham?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Joe, where's the nearest police station?
0:17:08 > 0:17:09South Shields.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Although the car was reported as stolen a few weeks ago,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16the driver claims he got it from his parents as a Christmas present.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20At the minute, it is. At the minute,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23we've got to think that car's stolen.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26My control room operator has told me it's a stolen car.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Right? We'll crack on and make those inquiries
0:17:28 > 0:17:31while we're processing you in custody.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35As the suspect is taken away, Alan searches the car.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40This receipt here is from the 10th of the 1st 2016.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Over a year old and that was in there.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Now, if this vehicle had been legitimately sold,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49it's very rare that you find receipts
0:17:49 > 0:17:51and bits of paperwork left from the previous owner.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52If it's legitimately sold,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55it's generally stripped of everything.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56You know? So, erm, yeah.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59We'll leave all this here. We've had a quick look.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04And this will be uplifted and taken back to our secure pound,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08and we'll do some further inquiries about it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10The suspected stolen car will now be seized
0:18:10 > 0:18:13until police can establish who it really does belong to.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Stolen property. It's always nice to get that property returned
0:18:19 > 0:18:21to the rightful owners. There's pretty much
0:18:21 > 0:18:23nothing more satisfying than that.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25For Alan and the other officers,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28it's been a successful operation all round.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I've just contacted my colleagues
0:18:31 > 0:18:33that took the driver of the vehicle into custody
0:18:33 > 0:18:37following his failed breath test at the roadside.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The legal limit's 35. He blew 48.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44But, actually, by the time you get to custody,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46sometimes 48 was right on that level where
0:18:46 > 0:18:48it's likely - if he's coming down,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50if it's been a while since he had a drink -
0:18:50 > 0:18:52that level could be coming down to a point
0:18:52 > 0:18:55where no further action's going to be taken against him.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57However, in this particular case,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59it appears he's actually going the other way.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01So he's recently had a drink,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03his alcohol level's continuing to climb,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07and I think my colleague said he'd blown 57 in custody.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12So that's a good, firm charge for driving with alcohol level
0:19:12 > 0:19:13above the limit.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17We see the fatal road accidents.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19We see the misery that drink-drivers,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22drunk-drivers bring to families.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24So, actually, to catch a drink-driver,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25to get them off the street,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27to get them in front of the courts,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29it's hugely rewarding for any traffic cop,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31anywhere in this country.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37On the A1 south of Retford in Nottinghamshire,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39it's the start of a busy afternoon
0:19:39 > 0:19:42at one of Britain's most iconic roadside restaurants.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Ashley, Danielle and Mary have all got
0:19:51 > 0:19:53plenty of Little Chef experience.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Are you all right today, love?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Yeah, are you? What time are you on till?
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Three. What time are you on?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Eight.- Oh, unlucky.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01THEY LAUGH
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I left school when I was 16.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I actually applied for the Burger King.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10There used to be a Burger King next door,
0:20:10 > 0:20:11but then they asked me to come into here
0:20:11 > 0:20:12and I've been here ever since.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Love it.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21It's just so nice because you don't think,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23"Oh, God, I've got to go to work."
0:20:23 > 0:20:25You're just on with your friends.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28I fit in there perfect.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32My dream job would be to be 6'2" and be a model.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35But I'm not even five foot. There's not much that people can do
0:20:35 > 0:20:38when you're this size. When you're getting mistaken
0:20:38 > 0:20:40for a nine-year-old girl.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48The restaurant caters for more than 45,000 A1 users every year.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51The A1 is literally there.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55When there's accidents outside, or the road gets really busy,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57we seem to find that everyone comes in here
0:20:57 > 0:21:00because they don't want to sit in the traffic or whatever.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04There's always accidents. Always. No matter what.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06The A1 is always having them.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11And there's one dish the waitresses serve more than any other.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- Olympic.- Nearly 2,000 a day across the country.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17There you go.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Our most popular meal on the menu is an Olympic Breakfast.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Prince Harry, was it? It was in the paper.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28When he'd gone to one of the Little Chefs
0:21:28 > 0:21:29just for an Olympic Breakfast.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So, obviously, we are quite famous for that.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Bacon, bacon, egg, beans and beans.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38I can be cooking about 1,000 Olympics a day sometimes.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41It feels like that, anyway. Doesn't it, Mary?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45If you get an Olympic at night, say, like, quarter to ten at night,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48they just walk in and want an Olympic breakfast.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50It's like...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Mary's like, "You could have had a jacket potato."- Yeah.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59It's just one of the dishes that attract many A1 regulars.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Thank you very much, Ashley.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04It's OK, my sweet pea. We've got quite a few regulars.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Table three. They're regulars.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Danielle's friend, the lady, she comes in to have a chicken platter.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Mr Bruce either has his scampi or his gammon.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Oh, look, back again.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Will always has a Jubilee Pancake at night-time.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Or he'll have a banana split. And he makes us do the banana split.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25And he's so picky. He likes his banana split down the middle,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27with three lumps of ice cream and squirty...
0:22:27 > 0:22:28He's so picky. He's SO picky.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Pass this Little Chef every day going to and from work,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34so it's handy to call in.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Breakfast, dinner, and tea sometimes.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- Hello, my dear.- And Ashley's front-of-house charm works wonders.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Got to know them now. Especially Ashley.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46She is really funny. Really funny.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Have a lot of banter with her.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50So posh.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52'Yeah, they make you feel really welcome.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54'That's why you keep coming back.'
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Hello!
0:22:56 > 0:22:58I mainly, like, sit people down,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01take their orders and have just, like, general chitchat with them.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06Which ends up not general chitchat, it ends up like gossip.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- So much gossip.- Everyone who comes in asks for Ashley because,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13obviously, she's the face of the place.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Do you want toast or fried bread?
0:23:14 > 0:23:18They never know my name, because I'm always in here.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I have to make sure she's on duty when we're coming up.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25So... But it just breaks up the journey.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29There was a guy that come in a couple of weeks ago and he was like,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31"Is Ashley not here?" And he was like,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33"Tell her I've been asking about her
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- "and I'll pop down soon to see her."- Don't make me blush.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37LAUGHTER
0:23:37 > 0:23:41He seemed to know you. He seemed to know you pretty well.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I can't remember, there's been that many.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51And despite the busy shifts,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54working at the restaurant is a job the girls love.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Once, when you took...
0:23:58 > 0:24:01You went over to take an order and the person said...
0:24:01 > 0:24:03He was having a go at his kid for not revising,
0:24:03 > 0:24:04and he said,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08"You've got to revise otherwise you'll end up somewhere like this."
0:24:08 > 0:24:09THEATRICAL GASP
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I've got everything that I want.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Don't we drive nice cars? - We don't go without.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16No, we don't go without. So it's a perfect job to have, I think.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21You get good days and bad days, obviously.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23But I probably wouldn't have done it for ten years
0:24:23 > 0:24:25if I thought it was that bad, would I?
0:24:29 > 0:24:31More than 100 times a year,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35the A1's traffic officers are called to help fix this major road.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37One of the main defects they face
0:24:37 > 0:24:41are potholes, which can pose a serious risk to driver safety.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49It's now lunchtime, and Paul Day and Rob Larkin have received
0:24:49 > 0:24:52a report about an urgent repair which is needed on the carriageway.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57What we found is a pothole that needed immediate repair.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02We've called it in to contractors, who've deployed a unit.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05We've done a bit of a liaise and a bit of a plan.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Hotel-Alpha-Charlie-Echo-One-Three. Radio check.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10So we're going to head down,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13we're going to pull out into traffic and block the carriageway.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17That'll allow the contractor to repair the pothole.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21One small pothole can lead to tragedy,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24so even though closing the road will still cause huge disruption,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27the works are essential.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30If a motorbike hit that pothole then it could literally
0:25:30 > 0:25:32throw the rider straight off
0:25:32 > 0:25:34into the path of oncoming traffic.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Yep. It could cause fatalities, really.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39It's better that it's done straightaway, isn't it?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Yeah. You assess the potential against the impact to traffic
0:25:43 > 0:25:45that's travelling. And it's better
0:25:45 > 0:25:48to have it repaired straightaway.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- A necessary evil. - A necessary evil, yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55One-Three, we're right behind Yankee-Uniform-One-Two.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58And we're going to block traffic now - over.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Paul and Rob immediately shut down both lanes.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Just give us a minute. There's repairing a pothole
0:26:08 > 0:26:10and there's also...something that needs to go on further up.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11Not be two seconds.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18So what we've done there is, we've utilised the...
0:26:18 > 0:26:21heavy traffic to create a gap.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23We've stopped traffic. We've spoken to drivers to let them know
0:26:23 > 0:26:26how we're going to do and what we're doing.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Meanwhile, further down the road, repairs begin on the hole.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32What we've done here is created
0:26:32 > 0:26:34a safety buffer between the contractors
0:26:34 > 0:26:38working in the main carriageway and the traffic behind.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Yes, it inconveniences for a period of time,
0:26:41 > 0:26:45but at least everybody is safe doing their job.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48With standing traffic mounting, there's no time to lose.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55In fact, he's just running over the tarmac now.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Just to push it down into the hole.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00So, it shouldn't be too long as it's completed.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03After just six minutes, the hole is fixed.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09There's just enough time to pick up some more dangerous debris.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Contractors will take care of that later.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Why did you have to move that?
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Just cos it was there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21All received. Just about to release the block.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Rob and Paul's drive-off is a signal
0:27:24 > 0:27:26for the traffic behind to start moving.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Yeah. 1-3. We've started rolling.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32But just as they set off again,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36the officers receive a report of another lane closure just ahead.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39It's vital the traffic doesn't gather speed too quickly.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41So Rob and Paul need to create
0:27:41 > 0:27:43a rolling roadblock past the incident.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45That's going to cause a problem.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48So, what happened there was,
0:27:48 > 0:27:54we put the block on as they were turning to put the lane closure on.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58We've released to traffic nice and steadily into the closure.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Just pre-planning stuff,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05making sure that everything we've got covered, going on, was covered,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08so that members of the public didn't just come upon something
0:28:08 > 0:28:10that they didn't know was there.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13And it all went rather well.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22On the A1 south of Retford in Nottinghamshire
0:28:22 > 0:28:24is a car with a VIP passenger.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Debbi and Martin Palmer and their dog Priya are en route
0:28:32 > 0:28:36to a major competition 100 miles south in Cambridgeshire.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40So far, Priya is taking the six-hour journey in her stride
0:28:40 > 0:28:43but it's not always like that.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46We had a real problem with her as a puppy with her
0:28:46 > 0:28:49being sick every time we took her in the car.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54But Martin's not taking any chances and is pulling over for a pit stop.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04She looks all right. She's weathered it well, actually.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Just need to get her out for a wee, really.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08It's also where they've agreed to meet up with
0:29:08 > 0:29:10some fellow competitors in the show.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Hello, baby boy!
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Hello. Hello! - DOG BARKS
0:29:15 > 0:29:17This is Fergus.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19He's six months old.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Mucho cuteness.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25He's gorgeous. I really want a puppy.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26I want several.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Inside, Ashley and Mary are in the middle of a busy shift.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Lovely. Thank you very much. - There you go. Enjoy.- Cheers.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- Oh!- Take a seat on this one here.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Lovely. Thank you very much.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- Are you going anywhere nice? - We've got a dog show tomorrow.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- What dogs have you got? - Old English sheepdogs.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- They're so cute!- Yeah...
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- Like the Dulux ones.- Yeah. - Bigger than me?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- When they're stood up. - Yes, they're bigger than you.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- I've never seen one. Not in real life, no.- Do you want us to bring...?
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- Oh, yeah!- We can't bring him in here, can we?
0:30:00 > 0:30:02No. But you can bring him to the door.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06The new arrivals are causing quite a stir.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11- Guess what dogs they've got, 15? - What?- Old English sheepdogs.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- Oh, you're joking!- The Dulux lot.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Especially for Mary.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18I used to have Old English sheepdogs when I was younger.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20We had a litter from our first dog.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I kept one and my granny kept one.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Oh, yeah. I will have to go say hello to the dogs.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26That is something I will need to do.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30Hello!
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Hello! I love it when they're all so fluffy.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35Oh, I know!
0:30:35 > 0:30:38And the girls are keen to see the show dogs in action.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Run her up and down like you would in the show.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- Yeah, all right, then.- You be the judges.- Hold my glasses!
0:30:45 > 0:30:46Are you ready, Trace?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48All three of you in a line.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- Listen, last time we did this, one of us fell over.- Well, come on...
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Mind the puddle. Go!
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Come on, Priya.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Good girl!
0:31:00 > 0:31:02THEY LAUGH
0:31:02 > 0:31:04- Yay!- That was brilliant.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Very, very smart.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Out of ten?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Ten, obviously.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13A strong one.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15In fact, if I could give you 12, I would.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Well done, Priya.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20With another 100 miles of the journey down the A1 still to go...
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Good luck! Nice to meet you!
0:31:22 > 0:31:24..it's time to get back on the road.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- Thank you very much. It was a lovely dinner.- Good luck.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29- Thank you.- Hope you do well.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31- And good luck.- Yeah, thank you.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39On the A1, thoughts are turning to the competition
0:31:39 > 0:31:42and their rivals from the car park.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44It's usually quite friendly rivalry.
0:31:44 > 0:31:4690% of the time.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- Yeah.- You do get the odd time where that dog shouldn't have won and...
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Yeah. But, I mean, everybody has their own opinion
0:31:52 > 0:31:56about what they like and what they don't like.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59As people say, there is no perfect dog out there.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00Unless it's my dog, obviously.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05After more than six hours on the road,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Debbi, Martin and Priya finally arrive
0:32:08 > 0:32:12at their overnight accommodation before tomorrow's competition.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Travelling days like these are quite nice, actually,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17because it's been nice and sunny and it's been dry.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22It's awful when you're trying to go to a dog show and it's wet and windy
0:32:22 > 0:32:24and you're trying to keep the dogs dry.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27But competition day could be a difficult one
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- for Debbi and Priya.- Good girl.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36At the venue the next morning, it's raining cats...
0:32:36 > 0:32:37and dogs.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Spanning nearly 400 miles,
0:32:45 > 0:32:50the A1 passes through bleak countryside and built-up cities.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Different parts of the road have different speed limits imposed,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56from 30 to 70mph.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58For the Northumbria Police force,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01the A1 is their biggest and busiest road.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04So cracking down on speeding motorists
0:33:04 > 0:33:06is a big part of an officer's job.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11In the last year, the police have prosecuted more than 57,000 drivers
0:33:11 > 0:33:13for speeding offences.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16And now, just a few miles north of Newcastle,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20PC Alan Keenleyside is tracking the latest culprit.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Just had a car in front...
0:33:25 > 0:33:28..join the A1. He seemed to accelerate.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30He moved into lane two really quite harshly.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I'm just going to follow him for a little bit.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35I want to see what his manner of driving is like.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37He's kind of sitting at about 80.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41I'm recording. He's quite close to that car in front.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43The driver is heading south towards Gateshead
0:33:43 > 0:33:46and doesn't seem to have noticed Alan in his rear-view mirror.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I'm quite happy to move backward and forward into lane one.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52What I don't want is a member of the public
0:33:52 > 0:33:54to get between me and that car.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58But it seems Alan may have spoken too soon.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01I'll just flash the blues.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03Thank you.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07By the looks of it, this vehicle is going to be
0:34:07 > 0:34:10taking the slip road off. I'm going to have a little word.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13As the driver enters Gateshead,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16he's still unaware that Alan is following him.
0:34:17 > 0:34:2030, and he's doing 44 in the 30s.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25As the driver pulls into the car park,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Alan makes his move.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31I was following you at 84 on the A1 from Seaton Burn.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Then when we came through the 30s you were doing 44 mile an hour
0:34:35 > 0:34:36in a 30-mile-an-hour limit.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Is there any reason why you've travelled like that
0:34:39 > 0:34:41all the way down? OK.
0:34:41 > 0:34:42Do you have any identification?
0:34:42 > 0:34:44I'll just check your driving licence, then.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46- Whereabouts are you heading to? - Just here.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48All right. No worries.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- Is it your vehicle? Is it? - Yes, it is.- OK. No worries.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I'm just going to check you on the computer.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53Come take a seat in my car. Thank you.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine
0:34:58 > 0:34:59and three penalty points.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Alan is keen to show the driver evidence of his erratic driving.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05What alerted us to you, right?
0:35:05 > 0:35:08When you came on at Seaton Burn onto the A1,
0:35:08 > 0:35:12you moved quite violently from lane one into lane two.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14I'm following you there. All right?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17It's already sitting at 77.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Then your speed increased.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Can you see the bottom right-hand corner there?
0:35:21 > 0:35:2484, 85.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28All right. OK?
0:35:28 > 0:35:30It is what it is on that one.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32When we've come in the Metrocentre,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34which is just the slip road up here before I asked you to stop,
0:35:34 > 0:35:36we've come into a 30-mile-an-hour limit
0:35:36 > 0:35:38and your vehicle in front there is doing 44. OK?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41And that's the reasons why you've been stopped here today.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43I'm just going to check you on the system.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Do you have any points on your licence or anything?
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Alan discovers the man is a professional lorry driver
0:35:50 > 0:35:54so more points on his licence could lead to him losing his job.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Alan has a very difficult decision to make.
0:35:58 > 0:35:59We could issue... I don't know
0:35:59 > 0:36:01if you've ever heard of a section 59 warning?
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I'm not going to do that.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08I'd like to think that this word tonight is sufficient.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10At the end of the day, you're an HGV driver.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12- Right?- My living.- It's your living.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14You don't need things like that coming your way.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16So, words of advice.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18So lesson learned. Keep it down.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21You never know when we're there. And we'll leave it at that tonight.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23- All right?- Thank you very much.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26No worries at all. There's your card back and we'll let you out.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28The driver realises he's been very lucky
0:36:28 > 0:36:30to get away without any points.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35When I got stopped, I was gutted because...
0:36:35 > 0:36:37I was in the wrong. Could have lost my job.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40I'm an HGV driver so...
0:36:42 > 0:36:43I should know better, really.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46The police officer explained everything and he was fair with us.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49He could have given us a lot worse than what I've got off with.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52In speeding cases,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56police officers like Alan are allowed to use their discretion.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Depending on the circumstances, they can issue fines and make arrests.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Or they can take a more lenient approach.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06That chap there is a prime example of somebody who,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08he seemed like a thoroughly nice person.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11He's got the right attitude for me. He was sitting there.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Very apologetic.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Hands up. He wasn't arguing.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18If he'd argued the case, it's all on video,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and really it's down to the officer how he wants to do it
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and I thought, in that situation, yeah,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27words of advice is probably going to suffice.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Near Ely in Cambridgeshire, it's the morning of the
0:37:35 > 0:37:38East Anglian Old English sheepdog championship show.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52After a 180-mile journey down the A1, Debbi, Martin
0:37:52 > 0:37:54and their dog Priya have arrived at the venue early.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Sit!
0:37:56 > 0:37:58But it's raining and a freshly groomed Priya
0:37:58 > 0:38:01simply can't be allowed to get wet.
0:38:01 > 0:38:02Come on, then.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Good girl. As you can see, there's all this mud around.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08So, if she didn't have her coat and her boots on,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11those lovely white feet will just be absolutely covered
0:38:11 > 0:38:13and I would be in there panicking.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14Morning!
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Debbi's eager to do some last-minute practice with Priya.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Ah-ah-ah! Turn around. This way.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28That didn't go quite so successfully.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32When I was doing the triangle, it didn't go quite as expected.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Just had to do a little turn at the end there.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36And there's another problem.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37Martin.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41As you can see, when I come close to Priya, she gets very agitated.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Because she's a daddy's girl.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44That's why I have to stay away.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Let's see who's in with you.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Pretty stiff competition.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51So, if we do well, we've done really well.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Priya. Head up.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Show, girl.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59I'm up here. I'm staying out of the way of Priya.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02I distract her big-time so I just stay out of the way.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06If I go anywhere close, if Priya picks her ears up, or hears me,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08then I get the evil looks off of Debbi.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Or I get told to clear off.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Or pushed out of the way.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17But as show time approaches, nature suddenly calls.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Where's Martin? Martin!
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Martin!
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Can you help me get her boots on? I think she needs a wee.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28You hold her. I'll put them on.
0:39:28 > 0:39:29Just let me find them first.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31I hope it's stopped raining outside.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Then I don't have to put her coat on.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35I don't want to have to start all over again.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38But outside, it's still pouring down.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Time for Priya to don full waterproofs once again.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47What I've got to do now that I'm zipping it all up is just make sure
0:39:47 > 0:39:49as much fur is tucked in there as possible.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50On the other side.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Now that I'm having to take her out in the rain and put her coat on,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57I've probably got a good hour again to do
0:39:57 > 0:40:01just to make sure she's right for going in the ring. Lovely.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- Hood?- Good girl. Can she see?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Come on, then, Priya, let's go for a wee-wee.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06Look at the state of her!
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- Hello!- She's not going to keep that on, Debbi.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12She's not liking that, is she?
0:40:14 > 0:40:15Come on.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21She's got her boots on, so I can take her on the grass.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Oh, crikey.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Maybe's that's not such a good idea.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28She's having a wee.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Good girl. Can you see?
0:40:31 > 0:40:34All the mud just from that little bit of a walk there
0:40:34 > 0:40:35on the back of her coat.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Now, that would have been all over that beautiful white coat
0:40:38 > 0:40:41that I would have then been panicking to get out.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47After yet another hour's grooming...
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I'm confident that she looks quite nice, so...
0:40:50 > 0:40:52..Priya's finally ready for the competition.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55See, now she looks a proper princess.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Come on, then, sweetheart.
0:40:59 > 0:41:00This way.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I decided I'd rather sit at ringside.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08I'm hiding. Hopefully, she won't recognise me
0:41:08 > 0:41:09by somebody else's crate.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Time to see if all Priya's practising has paid off.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24And stand.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Good girl.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It's a close competition.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32First, number 32.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37But Priya has to settle for third.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38Third, number 38.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Lovely. Thank you.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Good girl. Good girl.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45'That was a tough class.'
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I'm really pleased with that result.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48That was a really tough class.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50She moved lovely for me.
0:41:50 > 0:41:51She did everything I asked of her.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I'm not complaining. Not complaining at all.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Just onto the next show now.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Aww! You can have Daddy now.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00There we go.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I'm still going home with the best bitch.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Third's OK.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08It's why we travel up the A1, up and down it.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09It's to get that placement.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11For Debbi, Martin and Priya,
0:42:11 > 0:42:15it's been worth the 180-mile journey down the A1.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16I think she enjoys travelling with us now.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18She knows what it's all about.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21She's old enough to. Just got a long old journey home, haven't we?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- OK.- Done.- Job done.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24And away we go.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32The motorist suspected of drink-driving
0:42:32 > 0:42:34pleaded guilty to the offence.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37He was disqualified from driving for 36 months
0:42:37 > 0:42:41and fined £235 including costs.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44The stolen car was returned to its rightful owner
0:42:44 > 0:42:47but no further action was taken against the driver
0:42:47 > 0:42:50due to insufficient evidence.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Meanwhile, two months later,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Priya travelled down the A1 to compete at Crufts
0:42:55 > 0:42:58and was very highly commended in her class.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03Next time, a runaway van crashes down an embankment...
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- Police, are they all on the slip? - Keep going.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08..and leaves the A1 in total gridlock.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12The race to get to a multiple crash near Newcastle.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Injuries are quite often life-changing.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18And transporting a luxury liner.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20The driver who's all at sea on the A1.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22We've missed our exit.
0:43:23 > 0:43:24Not good.