Motorist caught committing 'indecent act' while driving

A DRIVER was caught committing an "indecent act" while driving on a motorway during a road safety crackdown by Hampshire police.

The county's constabulary, along with Thames Valley Police, launched a five-day road enforcement campaign and observed just under 200 drivers breaking the law.

Most of the drivers caught during Operation Tramline were using mobile phones while driving, including to access emails, texts or social media.

Eighteen drivers were distracted for other reasons, including one who was seen reading a novel as he drove on the M271.

Other offences included speeding, having no MOT, tax or insurance, and six people were seen not wearing a seatbelt.

And one person was dealt with for committing an indecent act on the M40 while driving but police did not reveal any more information about the incident.

Sergeant Paul Diamond from the Roads Policing Commercial Vehicle Unit said: "We run these operations regularly because we see collisions every day of the week caused by drivers not concentrating on the road ahead.

"Most of the offenders are not horrible criminals, they are often kind and decent people but they just don't realise the consequences of their actions not just to the victims but on their own lives and to the security of their jobs and family.

"We want to keep these people out of court just as much as we want to prevent casualties.

"It's a life changing event for everyone involved in a fatal crash and if the driver was accessing a phone at the time then they are very likely to go to prison, even if they have never been in trouble previously.

"Peoples' lives change forever on a split second decision and that text just isn't worth the risk.

"The irony is that most of the people we stop agree with what we are doing, so why do they do it?"

"The standard penalty for using a mobile phone whilst driving is a £100 fine and three points on the licence.

"We hope operations like this will help save lives and make people think twice about what they are doing while driving and concentrate on the road ahead."