An HGV driver watching a film on his laptop while driving down the M4 was one of the “completely stupid” incidents police in Wiltshire caught on camera in April. The force said 101 offences were detected on the motorway over three days as roads policing officers took part in Operation Tramline. The operation, which involves the use of an unmarked HGV to help detect offences such as drivers using mobile phones, or failing to wear a seatbelt, was held between junctions 14 and 18 of the M4. It is a joint initiative between National Highways and the National Roads Policing Operations and Intelligence unit. Over the course of the operation, 27 drivers were reported for using a mobile phone while driving, 28 for wearing no seatbelt, seven for not being in proper control of a vehicle, and three for having an insecure load.
PC Luke Hobbs of the roads policing unit said: “The use of the HGV enables us to have a better view into vehicles using the M4 and it’s pretty unbelievable what some people get up to behind the steering wheel. Today, we saw one man eating his breakfast cereal, with both hands off the wheel, and an HGV driver watching a film on his laptop. This kind of behaviour, while completely stupid, could lead to a serious collision with devastating consequences.”