More than 100 drivers were caught breaking the law on the M4 during a three-day police operation. The op saw police use an unmarked HGV to help detect offences such as drivers using mobile phones, or failing to wear a seatbelt.
Over the course of the three day operation police detected a total of 101 offences. Twenty-seven drivers were reported for using a mobile phone whilst driving, 28 for no seatbelt, seven drivers were reported for not being in proper control of a vehicle, while three were found to have an insecure load.
PC Luke Hobbs, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “The use of the HGV enables us to have a better view into vehicles using the M4 and it’s pretty unbelievable what some people get up to behind the steering wheel. Today, we saw one man eating his breakfast cereal, with both hands off the wheel, and a HGV driver watching a film on his laptop.
READ MORE: Crash victim named as family pay tribute to 'remarkable, exceptional' dad
“The road requires your full attention at all times. This kind of behaviour, whilst completely stupid, could lead to a serious collision with devastating consequences.
“We’re committed to keeping our road network here in Wiltshire - which includes this busy stretch of the M4 - as safe as possible and we will continue to target those who fail to abide by the law and whose driving standards fall below that expected of a competent driver.”
The operation took place between junction 18 for Bath and junction 14 for Hungerford.
Read next
