A MOTORIST was caught using his mobile phone while driving a 96-tonne mobile crane without permission on the M1 near Rugby.
The 43-year-old man was reported for both offences during a crackdown by Northamptonshire Police last month.
Officers spotted more than 179 offences from National Highways’ unmarked HGV during the five-day operation, which took place between junctions 15 and 18 on the motorway.
Drivers seen committing an offence were pulled over by a police car following a short distance behind.
Among them were 46 drivers seen using a mobile phone behind the wheel, and 58 people who received fixed penalty notices for not wearing a seatbelt.
A further 26 were reported for driving without due care or reasonable consideration, and another four were caught speeding.
Another driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs and possession of cannabis.
PC Mo Allsopp-Clarke of the Northamptonshire Police Safer Roads Team said: “It is always disappointing to find so many drivers prepared to put their livelihoods at risk for the sake of not wearing a seat belt or checking their mobile phones.
“Driving any vehicle needs your full attention, and there’s nothing so important that can’t wait or is worth risking not getting home safely for.”
National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator Marie Biddulph said: “From the elevated position in our unmarked HGV cabs, police can see into any vehicle and will spot people not wearing their seatbelt, using a mobile phone or picking up any other distractions at the wheel.”
