BAD driving on the A3 included one driver engaging in a sexual act with a passenger, according to the findings from a joint crackdown conducted by Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit.

The van driver was seen to be driving whilst distracted by his female passenger and not in proper control of his vehicle on the southbound carriageway at Guildford.

Officers drove an unmarked HGV cab around the roads network, as part of Operation Tramline, a national project supported by Highways England which provides the vehicle.

The unit concentrated on major roads the M25, M23 and A3, and stopped 572 vehicles during the last couple of weeks in January.

One officer was behind the wheel and another was in the passenger seat watching out for dangerous or distracting driving and recording footage of incidents giving cause for concern.

The “spotter” relayed information about specific distraction offences to a police vehicle travelling behind, which then intercepted offending motorists. At any one time, up to five police cars and four police motorbikes were poised nearby to take action.

The height of the HGV cab enabled “spotters” to see inappropriate driving that might have gone unnoticed from patrol vehicles.

Surrey unit sergeant Sharon Kingston said: “Working together with Highways England provides resilience and a cost effective way to work towards our joint aim to provide a safe and reliable road transport system for all drivers. As a result we’re able to target some of the offences which can cause casualties on the county’s roads – the ‘fatal 4’ as they are named, include drink/drug driving, using a handheld mobile phone, speeding and seat belt offences.

“It was a very successful operation with more than 600 interventions made and reasons for stopping vehicles varying from speeding, not wearing a seat belt to not being in proper control and using a hand held mobile phone. This should be a reminder to all motorists that they should always drive appropriately, not just when they see a marked police car, as there may well be an officer in an unexpected vehicle driving alongside them.

“In the latest operation we have had two reports of drivers being charged with not being in control of their vehicle because they were engaged in sexual acts.

“The van driver was issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for driving without due care and attention. Any previous driving offences had to be taken into account and he would have been issued with three points and a £100 fine, or would have to attend a driver education course.”

A total 309 TORs were issued during the campaign for a variety of offences. John Henderson from Highways England, said: “Safety is our top priority and I am pleased that our HGV cab has been so useful in helping the police to identify unsafe behaviour on the motorways and major A roads.

“Highways England is committed to working collaboratively with the police in Surrey to improve road safety in the region by influencing driver behaviour by this and other initiatives.”