Shaving while speeding: Police posing as lorry drivers identify road offenders!

One driver was seen brushing his teeth with one hand while holding a bottle of water and a razor in the other by officers in a Scania lorry.

The driver is among 200 people facing prosecution after being caught by undercover cops posing as lorry drivers.

The other motorists caught driving while distracted include a driver who was brushing his teeth with one hand, a bottle of water and a razor in the other.

One female van driver was caught reading Facebook on her mobile phone and another caught using his laptop while driving.

They were all spotted by two officers using the vantage point of a Scania lorry cab to spy on motorists using the M27, M3, A34, M40 and M4 carriageways in Hampshire and the Thames Valley between Sept 23 and Sept 27.

In total 198 individual vehicles were identified committing offences, with some vehicles evidencing a number of offences bringing the total to 227.

Among were 126 motorists, including 25 lorry drivers, caught using their mobile phones.

All drivers were issued with notices that will result in a £100 fine and three points on their licence.

Sergeant Paul Dimond, who coordinated the clampdown, said: “Distracted driving is proven to be a significant factor in many of the collisions on our roads.

“Although the focus of the operation was on distraction offences we acted on any offences seen by the lorry as well as any seen by the marked patrol cars in support.

“Many of the people stopped agreed with the police action and were very embarrassed having 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.

“The use of the high viewing platform was especially important for looking down into the vehicles.

“It is also the only police vehicle capable of effectively highlighting distraction offences by other lorry drivers.

“These offences are being committed by otherwise law-abiding and hardworking people.

“Unfortunately it is that same group of people that are being hurt as a result of the accidents.

“Through cracking down on this sort of offence, we aim to make our roads safer for all motorists.