Driver caught watching an adult video at the wheel

A driver caught watching an adult video while behind the wheel, cloned cars and uninsured motorists are just some of the cases being dealt with by a specialist roads policing unit in Surrey.

BBC South East had exclusive access to an operation involving the Vanguard Road Safety Team to see the range of offences they are tackling.

The unit, which uses marked and unmarked cars and motorbikes, was set up in 2022 to target serious road crime.

We joined them during a dedicated operation targeting known hotspot areas to get an insight into the types of offending taking place on our roads, after the government recently consulted on tougher penalties for a raft of motoring offences.

It didn't take long before the first driver was stopped on her way to work and was found to have no insurance and no MOT.

Next, the driver of a van approaching a roundabout was the first of three motorists caught driving while using their mobile phone.

He was facing six penalty points and a £200 fine.

Another motorist was stationary at traffic lights, but reached down to use her phone. Even though her car wasn't moving, she was the next driver to face a fine.

Across the three-day Operation Riptide, officers fined three drivers for watching videos while driving.

PC Sam Talbot-Smith said: "It's hugely distracting and unfortunately we had one person that was watching an adult video whilst driving as well."

During the operation officers also made six arrests for suspected drug driving and issued traffic offence reports for seat belt offences, having no insurance and using a phone.

Motorists using a phone while driving was the most common offence witnessed by the BBC during our shift with the police.

Talbot-Smith said they had a whole range of different excuses from people using a mobile phone while driving.

"From using satellite navigation, to texting, to voice notes, but at the end of the day, as soon as you pick up that phone whilst you're driving you've committed the offence," he added.

Other offences the team deals with include drivers using false plates that clone the number of another vehicle, leaving victims - like Lou from Kent - facing fines for offences she hadn't committed.

They also had cases where some motorcyclists have used a mechanical device to flip up their number plate.

The tactic, according to police, is used to conceal the registration from speed or congestion charge cameras.

"We don't really get cars with the James Bond flippy plates, but motorbikes, we get that quite a lot," officer Garry Glue said.

"Quite often if a motorbike has got a flipped plate, not all the time, but often they don't stop, which then leads to a pursuit."

In 2017 the government introduced tougher measures by increasing penalty points to six.

Four years ago the law was updated to include fines and points for scrolling through playlists or taking pictures on a handheld device.

Devices can still be used hands-free while driving if secured in a cradle.

But after an initial decrease, the latest data shows the number of offences resulting in fines or court action is rising again.

Avril Swain, whose daughter Alex Britton was one of three people who died in a crash caused by a lorry driver using his mobile, is calling for new tactics to be used.

"We see people on their phones all the time and I'm shocked that the message still hasn't got through and the catastrophic offence that could take place, it's astounding," she said.

"When people are taking their driving test and have to do their theory, I think it could be mandatory that they watch a little bit of footage of the catastrophe that can happen whilst being on your mobile phone."

Road safety campaigners said continued dedicated road enforcement and use of technology was the key to driving down offences.

Officers in Sussex have tested artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to detect drivers using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

Simon Williams, from the motoring organisation RAC, said "When people are stationary, I think drivers don't see the risk is as great, but the law is clear, it is an offence to interact with your handheld phone while driving, even if you are stationary.

"Drivers need to be conscious they are now being watched by all kinds of different cameras and hopefully that's motivation enough not to commit handheld mobile phone offences."

The cameras remained in place for several weeks before being reviewed.

Speaking at the time, Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said AI cameras were "not designed to replace modern day policing, but to enhance it".

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Improving road safety is our priority, which is why as part of our Road Safety Strategy, we're considering proposals to strengthen the penalties for the most serious motoring offences."

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