Police film illegal driving from unmarked lorry cab
BBCAn unmarked lorry cab was posted to spots along the M5, A30 and A38 in Devon and Cornwall to catch illegal drivers in the act.
The three-day crackdown dubbed Operation Tramline snared 14 drivers using their mobile phones while driving, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.
The National Highways HGV tractor unit also recorded 21 further offences, including not being in control of a vehicle, speeding, not driving with due care and having no insurance.
Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Drivers should be under no illusions about how dangerous these driving behaviours are."
She added: "Using a mobile phone behind the wheel significantly increases your chances of being involved in a collision, with the distraction impairing both your judgement and reaction times."
Officers in an "elevated cab position" onboard the vehicle "shared their observations" with roads policing colleagues who then intercepted the vehicles in question, the force said.
It led to the 14 people who had used mobile phones while driving facing six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine.
Ch Insp Si Jenkinson, road policing lead, said operations like this would continue to reduce the number of people injured or killed on the roads.
Jack Mason, National Highways' road safety manager for the South West, said: "We know that the majority of people who use our roads drive safely but there remains a minority who continue to put themselves and others at risk."
He called on motorists to "reflect on their driving" and prioritise safety.
