A lorry driver has been fined £100 for balancing a laptop on his dashboard while driving along the busy M20 motorway in Kent.
Kent Police caught the offending driver as part of their new crackdown against dangerous driving on motorways and major roads across Kent. Last week, there were dozens of drivers caught behind the wheel.
Officers spotted the haulier with his HP laptop opened and placed it on the dashboard of an unmarked Large Goods Vehicle, (LGV).
National Highways gave the LGV to the police force to permit investigators better view into larger vehicles and cars.
Police cars were used to stop motorcyclists who are caught driving infractions.
Infractions included using a phone while driving, speeding and not wearing seatbelts.
Officers in an unmarked Large Goods Vehicle, (LGV), spotted the Kent haulier with his HP laptop opened (pictured).
Across the second week of January, nine LGVs, nine Heavy Goods Vehicles and 26 other motorists were stopped for offences including using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, not being in control of the vehicle, not having insurance, carrying an insecure load, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Pictured: Six-mile queue as over 500 lorries all try to enter the Port of Dover on Wednesday)
Kent saw 44 drivers stopped, fined and given points.
A man was also arrested in the operation after a officer riding on a motorbike police bike detected cannabis being present from his vehicle, which was on M10.
The driver was pulled over by the rider, who then arrested him on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
Chief Inspector Craig West explained that “a brief lapse of concentration (e.g. texting, talking on the telephone, looking at a tablet in the car, etc.) can have devastating and life-changing results.”
The unmarked lorry allows us to look inside the driver’s cab directly, something we are unable to do with our regular marked and unmarked police officers.
The ‘Offenses’ we have identified can result in a suspension of your driving privileges and a penalty. Ask yourself whether it is worth the risk.
“I urge anyone caught in this crime and all others using such devices to stop driving and learn from them. We will take legal action against anyone who puts others at danger.
Colin Evans, National Highways Regional Safety Programme manager, said: “We know that most people drive safely, sensibly, but unfortunately, a few motorists disregard the law and place themselves and others in danger.
“Working with police partners, we use supercabs to encourage drivers to be more responsible behind the wheel. This will ensure that everyone arrives safely.