A POLICE crackdown on motorists flouting the law caught drivers eating pasta, cutting fruit and even reading whilst at the wheel of a car.

The five day operation across the busiest roads in Hampshire and the Thames Valley resulted in 197 motorists being prosecuted for driving offences, including 109 for mobile phone offences.

Operation Tramline was run by Roads Policing officers targeting routes including the M27, M275, M271, M3, A34 in Hampshire as well as A34, M4 and M40 in the Thames Valley.

Throughout Operation Tramline, one HGV-qualified police officer drove an unmarked Scania lorry cab whilst an observer recorded any offences committed - with the cab providing the officers the advantage of a high viewing platform.

Officers on police motorbikes were then used to intercept offending vehicles. This was supported by a car crewed with a mechanical expert from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

During its five days, the HGV covered 1440 miles and stopped 231 vehicles.

Speaking about the operation, Sergeant Paul Diamond, from Hampshire Constabulary's Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Operation Tramline enabled us to detect offences we would otherwise be unable to prosecute.

“In particular, drivers that were texting or accessing smart phones held below the window line of the car. The standard penalty for this offence carries a £100 fine and three points on the licence.

“We were very disappointed to see so many people accessing their smart phones in the morning whilst they drive. Most of these were checking their calendars or confirming work commitments.

“These are often very professional people and it isn't satisfying for us to be giving them points. However, it is these same people whose distracted driving is causing collisions and injuries, and we have a duty to make them stop.”

In all drivers were dealt with for the following:

  • 109 mobile phone offences;
  • 62 seatbelt offences;
  • 13 tickets for drivers not being in proper control - this included driving whilst eating pasta, cutting fruit, and reading;
  • Seven speeding offences;
  • Five driving without due care and attention offences;
  • One drink drive arrest;
  • One warrant arrest (wanted for an offence in Liverpool);
  • Three vehicles seized for either having no driving licence or no insurance;
  • 15 mechanical prohibitions by the double crewed DVSA/Traffic car and £1,800 of roadside fines for lorry drivers breaching driving hours rules;
  • Two HGVs immobilised for being unsafe through excess driving;
  • One HGV impounded by DVSA for a cabbotage offence (working in the UK for too long without going home);
  • Lesser offences including driving illegally on hatchings, driving without lights, displaying improper number plates.