ROAD cops have been using an unmarked lorry cab to get a better view of motorists in Hampshire using their mobile phones.

This month’s Operation Tramline led to 88 drivers being prosecuted for driving while distracted, including 55 for using a mobile phone.

The operation was run jointly by officers from Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police all last week. Roads targeted included the M3, M4, M40 and the M25.

Sergeant Paul Diamond, who led the operation, said: “This issue was raised as a problem to us by concerned lorry drivers who often witnessed offences that the police couldn’t see from ground level.

“This is the second time we’ve hired the Scania cab and it has proved itself invaluable. We know for sure that we were able to detect at least 28 offences, from the high-up vantage point that the cab gives us, that we could not have spotted from ground level.”

Officers stopped 112 vehicles, of which 63 were commercial, and they issued 68 fines.

Other offences identified included speeding, overloaded vehicles, tachograph offences, the use of red diesel and drawing a trailer in the outside lane of a motorway.

Motorists face a £60 fine and three penalty points for using a mobile phone while driving.

Sgt Diamond added: “This was a very successful operation which we will run again. Our message could not be clearer. Focus on the wheel when you’re driving – no phone call, text message or anything else is as important as a person’s life.”