Two hundred drivers face prosecution after police operation

Nearly 200 motorists are facing prosecution following Operation Tramline, a joint venture between Hampshire and Thames Valley police.
Carried out last week, the operation focussed on major routes across the area, including the A34 and the M4. The 198 people pulled over included a motorist having a shave while driving, water bottle in one hand and razor in the other, another using an iPad on the steering wheel, a woman applying make-up on the motorway and a lorry driver brushing his teeth.
Mobiles were a key distractor with 126 motorists caught on the phone while 25 were distracted by other means. All drivers stopped as part of the operation will face a £100 fine and three points on their licence. However, some will be able to wipe the points if they attend a driver awareness course.
Operation co-ordinator Sgt Paul Dimond said: “Distracted driving is proven to be a significant factor in many of the collisions on our roads.
“Many of the people stopped agreed with the police action and were very embarrassed to have been caught on their phones. The vast majority were holding phones in their lap and accessing applications or texting with their hands held low – this can be very dangerous.
“Motorways are statistically the safest roads to travel on. The vast majority of the motorists observed during the week were driving safely in compliance with the law.
“These offences are being committed by otherwise law-abiding and hardworking people. Unfortunately it is that same group of people who are being hurt as a result of accidents. Through cracking down on this sort of offence, we aim to make our roads safer for all motorists.”