A lorry driver has been caught on camera holding two mobile phones with one to each ear while cruising on the M4 motorway near Bristol.
Footage shared by Avon and Somerset Police captures the dangerous moment the driver takes his hands off the steering wheel while answering to calls on two devices.
Road policing officers are seen pulling up next to the 44-tonne lorry along the M4 and signalling to the driver to put his hands back on the wheel.
According to the force, these were just some of the offences captured on camera by Avon and Somerset Police during Op Tramline last week.
The operation includes a three-week campaign to highlight the dangers of driver distractions – including mobile devices such as phones, "sat navs" and tablets – and to crack down on offenders.
Chief Inspector Jason Shears, Roads Policing Lead for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Driving whilst distracted is every bit as unacceptable as drink driving and just as likely to be fatal.
"Research has shown that drivers using a phone – handheld or hands free – are four times more likely to be involved in a collision and their driving is also impaired to a degree similar to that of a drink driver.
"Distraction driving is a top concern for motorists and we are committed to tackling it.
"Fortunately, we have the majority of the public behind us, many of whom are submitting footage of offences to us via our website.
"This means that anyone could be capturing evidence of offending that could be used to prosecute a phone-using or otherwise distracted driver, so the chances of being caught are now much higher.
“Safety on the roads of Avon and Somerset is our road policing unit’s absolute priority and we will not hesitate to use every option open to us, including the deployment of a range of unmarked vehicles, to tackle dangerous and anti-social driving habits."
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