Motorists are still ignoring the dangers of being distracted when behind the wheel, with some even shaving, eating cereal or reading whilst driving.

213 drivers were stopped for various offences during the week long distracted-driving campaign.

A week-long clampdown in Hampshire and the Thames Valley stopped a total of 213 drivers for various offences, of which 151 drivers were stopped for being distracted while behind the wheel.

Examples include an van driver was stopped on the M27 for eating his breakfast cereal while driving and a HGV driver caught shaving on the M4.

However the main distraction issue was found to be mobile phone use. Of the 151 drivers caught, 137 were caught using their mobile phones.

Helped by an unmarked HGV tractor unit on loan from Highways England, as well as unmarked police cars and motorbikes, the campaign found many of those stopped for using their mobile phones were holding their devices below the steering wheel, with the drivers looking at the screen instead of the road ahead.

The operation was supported by a DVSA vehicle examiner who joined officers and inspected vehicles stopped during the course of the operation. This resulted in prohibitions on ten vehicles for tyre, brake and steering defects.

Sergeant Paul Diamond, who led the operation, said “It is disappointing to see so many people still using mobile phones while they are driving.

“You can clearly see from the footage from our operation at the end of last year that if a driver’s attention is on their mobile phone, it is not on the road and this can be potentially fatal.

“Sadly we have seen many examples over the last 12 months of lives lost unnecessarily because a driver has not had their full attention on the road.

The campaign comes as the NPCC embarks on a week-long campaign to cut down on mobile phone use behind the wheel.