SCORES of motorists across north Hampshire were prosecuted for a litany of motoring offences on the region’s busiest roads during a five-day police crackdown.

From driving while eating pasta or cutting fruit to being caught behind the wheel using a mobile phone, nearly 200 people were prosecuted during the sting operation.

Officers from Hampshire police spied on motorists from the vantage point of an unmarked lorry cab recording all those offences which were committed on the A34 and M3.

During Operation Tramline, 231 vehicles were stopped as officers pulled over people after recording the offences on video cameras while another officer drove the Scania lorry for a total of 1,440 miles.

Officers on motorbikes then intercepted the offenders.

During the operations, there were 109 mobile phone offences, 62 seatbelt offences and 13 offences for drivers not being in proper control of their vehicle, which included driving while eating pasta, cutting fruit and reading.

There were seven speeding offences, one drink-drive arrest and three vehicles were seized for having no driving insurance or driving licence.

Other offences included driving illegally on hatchings, driving without lights, and displaying improper number plates.

Sergeant Paul Diamond, from Hampshire police’s commercial vehicle unit, said many people were caught texting or using their smart phones while holding them below the window line of the car.

He said: “We were very disappointed to see so many people accessing their smart phones in the morning while they drive. Most of these were checking their calendars or confirming work commitments. These are often very professional people and it isn’t satisfying for us to be giving them points.

“However, it is these same people whose distracted driving is causing collisions and injuries, and we have a duty to make them stop.”