A motorist has been caught by theNational Highways using his elbow to drive a car transporter on the motorway.
The moment was caught on camera on the M40 near Gaydon in Warwickshire.
The driver initially seems unaware that he is being filmed but quickly puts both hands on the steering wheel when he realises.
The police can be heard saying: “So he’s steering with his elbow, he’s not in proper control is he?”
A driver is caught steering his lorry with his elbow.
National Highways
Police who were travelling behind later pulled the driver over.
National Highways, a Government owned company, is responsible for England’s motorways and major roads.
It said over 33,000 offences have been recorded since it launched Operation Tramline in 2015.
The initiative involves police officers being deployed in HGV cabs so they can film drivers from an elevated position.
9,962 people were found not wearing a seatbelt, 8,368 were found using a mobile phone illegally, and 2,257 drivers were found not being in proper control of their vehicle.
Drivers were given fixed penalty notices, court summons or arrests.
Other offences that were caught on camera included a man texting and not wearing a seatbelt while driving a horsebox, and a woman taking a video call on her phone.
National Highways head of road safety Jeremy Phillips said: “We are committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured while travelling on our roads by 50 per cent by 2025 and we have a long-term ambition for zero harm.
The driver of a horsebox is caught on their phone while driving
National Highways
“To achieve that we need to tackle the unsafe driving behaviour that we sadly still encounter.
“Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel, but some are putting themselves and others at risk.
“Through this week of action we want to encourage motorists to think about their driving and to adopt safer behaviours.
“But those who continue to pose a risk should be aware that we are working with our police partners to make sure they are spotted and prevented from causing serious harm to themselves or others.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing operations Commander Kyle Gordon said: “We are pleased to be working with our key partner National Highways once again as we work to reduce the danger caused on one of our busiest roads, and beyond, by drivers who allow themselves to be distracted while driving.
“Too many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads every year.
“My officers have to visit the families of those killed on our roads five times a day, every day of the week.
“I am very happy to support all initiatives that can help reduce these numbers.”
Department for Transport figures show 67 people were killed and a further 686 were seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2021 when a distraction within a vehicle was a contributory factor.
