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 while 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, as part of Operation Tramline, on major roads incluidng the M25, M23 and A3, stopping 572 vehicles over two weeks in January.

The “spotter” in the cab relayed information about specific distraction offences to a police vehicle travelling behind, which intercepted offending motorists. Up to five police cars and four police motorbikes were poised nearby to take action.

The cab height enabled ‘spotters’ to see inappropriate driving that might have gone unnoticed from patrol vehicles.

Surrey Police Sergeant Sharon Kingston said: “We were able to target some of the offences which can cause casualties on the county’s roads – the ‘fatal four” 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.

“It should be a reminder to all motorists 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.

“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.”

A total 309 TORs were issued during the campaign for a variety of offences.