Driver rolling a cigarette and another reading at the wheel among 274 stopped in police crackdown

A driver caught rolling a cigarette, another reading at the wheel, and 133 caught using mobile phones while driving were among 274 motorists stopped in a police crackdown on distracted motorway driving.

Officers from Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) used an unmarked lorry cab to help spot drivers committing traffic offences and risking accidents in the West Midlands.

There were a total of 310 offences reported with 133 for using a mobile phone and 138 for not wearing a seatbelt during the three-week operation to tackle bad driving behaviour which saw 274 vehicles stopped on the M5, M6 and M42.

Other reasons for being stopped over the 15-day period were driving without due care and attention or not being in proper control of a vehicle after officers witnessed some drivers rolling-up cigarettes and reading directions at the wheel.

207 of the 274 who were stopped were lorry drivers.

During a similar operation across 10 days in the autumn, 114 vehicles were stopped, of which 74 were HGVs, and 121 offences reported.

The operation was run by CMPG - an alliance between West Midlands, West Mercia and Staffordshire Police - working in partnership with Highways England and National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum between April 4 to April 22.

The elevated position of the unmarked cab made it easier to observe truckers but also spot motorists in cars and other light vehicles.

Punishments for those caught included warnings, penalty notices or attending an awareness course.

Inspector Simon Kirman, from CMPG, said: "We saw some drivers recklessly jeopardising their own safety and potentially putting other road users at risk. It only takes a momentary distraction to cause an accident which, at high speed, can be catastrophic.

"The unliveried cab enabled us to observe unsuspecting commercial vehicle drivers and identify those committing an offence.

"It is not acceptable even during slower moving or queuing traffic to check a mobile phone for messages, text messaging or looking at social media.

"A lot of drivers acknowledged their behaviour was wrong when stopped and the operation was about enforcement but also education. Hopefully this will serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of not fully concentrating on the road."

"At CMPG we are committed to road safety and targeting the 'fatal four' which are those factors that contribute greatest to fatalities on UK roads - speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phones and distraction offences. By working in partnership with Highways England we can make a real difference to drivers behaviour."

A Highways England spokesperson added: "Road safety is a top priority for Highways England.

"Doing what we can to reduce incidents on our network not only improves safety but it reduces congestion and provides more reliable journeys for drivers in the West Midlands.

"Our aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 40 per cent over the next five years."

Studies have found driver reaction times when using a mobile phone are 30 per cent slower than someone who is just above the drink drive limit and 50 per cent slower than under normal driving conditions.

Research also indicates that drivers using mobile phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash involving damage to property or serious injury.