Shocking moment lorry driver is caught with no hands on the wheel as he rolls a cigarette on the motorway

By RUTH STAINER[1]

Published: 19:13, 6 June 2025 | Updated: 19:17, 6 June 2025

This is the shocking moment a lorry driver is caught driving with no hands on the wheel while he rolls a cigarette.

The careless driver was captured on film as part of Gloucestershire Police's Operation Tramline on the M25.[2]

Up to 58 drivers were stopped for offences that included not wearing seatbelts, using a phone behind the wheel, alongside pulling trailers with insecure loads.

Under the road safety initiative, undercover officers drove in an unmarked HGV lorry between May 6 and May 8, recording and identifying a number of traffic offences.[3]

These officers then intercepted the offending vehicle, pulling it over and dealing with the driver.

Alongside capturing the careless cigarette-roller, officers also pulled over a tow truck that was found to have several major defects which included no brakes, cuts in tyres, bald tyres, cracked suspension springs and an insecure load.

A prohibition notice was issued to the driver as the vehicle was not roadworthy and could have put other motorists at risk.

This is the shocking moment a lorry driver is caught rolling a cigarette with no hands on the wheel while driving along the motorway. The careless driver was captured on film as part of Gloucestershire Police's Operation Tramline on the M25

Alongside the driver pictured, up to 57 others were stopped for offences that included not wearing seatbelts, using a phone behind the wheel, alongside pulling trailers with insecure loads

Under the road safety initiative, undercover officers drove in an unmarked HGV lorry between May 6 and May 8, recording and identifying a number of traffic offences. The officers then intercepted the offending vehicle, pulling it over and dealing with the driver

Two motorists were also pulled over for towing vehicles while in the third lane of the motorway which is not permitted.

The offences were handled under the Traffic Offence Reports and summons.

These can potentially result in a fine of GBP100 for failing to wear a seatbelt, GBP200 and six penalty points for using a handheld mobile device and a GBP300 fine for driving a vehicle in contravention of a prohibition.

Penalties for driving whilst disqualified can also lead to a fine of up to GBP5,000 and up to six months' imprisonment.

Sergeant Matt Firth from the Roads Policing Unit said: 'Reducing the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads continues to be a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary.

'We will continue to run these operations to detect and deter those who choose to drive in this manner remembering that any of us or our loved ones could be impacted by such behaviours whilst using the county's roads.'

National Highways Engineering Team Manager for Road Safety, Jack Mason, described it as 'disappointing' to see numerous drivers putting both themselves and others on the road at great risk.

Officers also pulled over a tow truck (pictured) that was found to have several major defects which included no brakes, cuts in tyres, bald tyres, cracked suspension springs and an insecure load

Pictured: a HGV which was pulled over as the driver was seen to be texting while driving.

National Highways Engineering Team Manager for Road Safety, Jack Mason, described it as 'disappointing' to see numerous drivers putting both themselves and others on the road at great risk

Mr Mason added: 'Figures show that you're twice as likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt and four times more likely to be in a crash if using a phone at the wheel.

'This year marks the 10th anniversary of Operation Tramline and our goal has always been to remind motorists to think carefully about their driving behaviours and to make our roads safer.

'These results show just how valuable our HGV cabs continue to be in helping to spot unsafe driving behaviours and we will continue working with our police partners to make our roads as safe as we can.'

National Highways has three unmarked HGV cabs which it loans out to police forces across the country as part of Operation Tramline.[4]

The operation was introduced to help decrease the number of people killed or seriously injured on the National Highways road network.

References

1. ^ RUTH STAINER (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ on the M25. (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ dentifying a number of traffic offences. (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ Operation Tramline. (www.dailymail.co.uk)