British police borrow HGV cab and film lorry driver on two phones while driving on motorway

The man, who has not been named, held one phone to his ear while texting on another handset as he was driving on the M6 in Cheshire.

Officers used the elevated position of the cab to film unsafe behaviour by drivers, who were then pulled over by police cars following behind.

Highways England said examples of irresponsible driving included a man in Surrey boiling water in a kettle on his dashboard and a motorist in Kent watching a DVD.

A driver in Hampshire was spotted reading a book, while a man in Surrey told officers he was using his mobile phone because he needed to call his new girlfriend after "their song" came on the radio.

Anthony Thorpe from Highways England's incident prevention team said: "The vast majority of drivers pay attention when they're on a motorway but a minority are putting themselves and others at risk by not driving safely.

"We've been loaning out the HGV cab to police forces to help improve safety and are delighted that the initiative is making a real difference and protecting motorists.

"It's astonishing and worrying that drivers have got into bad driving habits and are using their mobile phones, watching DVDs or even boiling a kettle while driving."

Since the safety scheme began in April last year some 3,494 offences have been spotted, with nearly half relating to the unsafe use of mobile phones and over a fifth involving drivers not wearing seatbelts.

Some 25 forces have taken part in the project.

Last month British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced that motorists will face tougher punishments for using handheld phones behind the wheel.

Drivers are currently given three penalty points and a minimum fine of £100 for the offence, but this is set to be increased to six points and £200 under the plans.