A van driver brazenly stuck two fingers up at a passing motorist after they were caught not wearing a seatbelt and using their phone. The passing motorist turned out to an undercover police vehicle.
North Yorkshire Police took the shocking footage on the A1(M) near to Wetherby. They were stationed in a National Highways 'supercab', YorkshireLive reports.
The video, titled 'Operation Mainline', shows the driver holding his phone in one hand without a seatbelt on, drifting into the outside lane. This is before he realises he is being filmed by the vehicle next to him at which point he sticks up two fingers towards them.
The driver was handed a fixed penalty notice for not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone. He was slapped with six penalty points and a £200 fine.
Superintendent Emma Aldred, Head of Specialist Operations at North Yorkshire Police, said: "As police officers, we see too many people taking serious risks on our roads – and those risks can, and often do, cost lives.
"We are pleased to join Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary in working with National Highways to create a really robust team, in order to target those who break the law on our road network.
"This operation has shown remarkable results previously and we know this time will be no different. Officers will be covering the stretch of the A1 24/7 and will not let up in their efforts to target those who have no regards for others on our roads."
National Highways' regional director, Simon Boyle, said: "Safety is our highest priority at National Highways. The Operation Tramline cabs are an important part of our commitment to tackling dangerous driving and those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and that of others on the road.
"The number of people found not wearing their seatbelt, or using their mobile phone while driving is quite alarming. Through this fortnight of action on the A1 we want to make all of our roads safer by raising awareness and encouraging motorists to consider their driving behaviour.
"It’s great to be collaborating with our partners in the police on this important campaign."
