A MOTORIST has been stopped by police for the third time in three weeks as part of a crackdown on using phones while driving.

The man was caught on the M27 on Wednesday as part of a week of action led by the National Police Chief's Council, which sees roads policing officers catch and penalise drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel.

Police stopped the Welsh delivery driver in Rownhams and slapped him with a fixed penalty notice.

So far, more than 500 drivers across Hampshire have been caught using their phones, reading, shaving and even eating cereal whilst at the wheel.

Rob Heard, Hampshire Constabulary’s road safety sergeant, said: “Every day on our roads we see people deciding to take that risk to use their mobile phone whilst driving, whether looking at a text, making and receiving calls or even surfing the internet.

“Doing any of these will clearly impair and distract your ability to drive safely.

“I am urging all motorists to not take that risk. We have all seen the devastation caused by those who take the risks.

“Please think twice before answering a call, looking at a text or browsing your phone - let’s have no more innocent people lose their life.”

Another driver was caught on Wednesday after police spotted him reading a Stephen King book on his phone.

Earlier in the week, another motorist was stopped on the M27 by police for using his phone while driving.

When quizzed by officers on Tuesday, the man said he was checking that his final payment from a court fine for the same reason had gone through.

Police issued the man with a ticket.

Jacqui Rayment, Southampton City Council’s executive member for transport, said: “I support any police operation that tried to drive poor driving skills off the road.

“People need to use their common sense and not drive dangerously. Using your mobile phone while driving is not a sensible thing to do.”