Driver steering with knees while rolling cigarette pulled over on M1

A driver was pulled over by police on the M1 after being spotted steering with his knees while rolling a cigarette on his lap.

The motorist was one of more than 50 stopped by Nottinghamshire Police [1] during a four-day operation on the motorway last week, which also punished drivers for holding their phones, texting and even video calling.

Observed by officers from an elevated position, people were also fined for not wearing seatbelts, driving on damaged tyres and travelling with an overweight load. Advertisement Advertisement

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Several HGV drivers [2] also used high-vis tabards to cover up for missing seatbelts, while checks conducted by the DVSA at Trowell Services also revealed a seriously overweight load and damaged tyres, police said.

Sergeant Steve Waft explained: "Like every other road safety operation we conduct, this was all about reducing the number of people who are killed and seriously injured on our roads.

"Over the course of my career I have been to too many of these incidents - many of them caused by people who were momentarily distracted at the wheel by mobile phones. Advertisement

"So, whilst those currently counting the cost of a GBP200 fine and six points on their licence will understandably be upset - they are at least less likely to endanger themselves and other road users in the future.

"As ever we are grateful to our colleagues at Highways England for once again lending us the cab, which is a really useful tool for us in spotting offences - particularly those committed by HGV drivers."

References

^ Police (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ HGV drivers (www.nottinghampost.com)