POLICE took to the A34 in an unmarked heavy goods vehicle to catch out distracted drivers.

Officers in Thames Valley Police’s shared roads policing unit were on the road around the border between South Oxfordshire and Berkshire today as part of Operation Tramline.

The initiative sees police forces partner up with Highways England to catch out people using mobiles - or distracting themselves in other ways - while behind the wheel.

The officers hop aboard an HGV tractor which enables them an easier view into vehicles - some of which, like lorries, are not easily observed from a standard police car.

The force said on Twitter that they were looking into cars and trucks for distracted drivers on the ‘highest risk roads’.

Earlier this year, the Oxford Mail revealed that nearly 500 motorists were caught using a mobile phone while driving in the county between March 1 and December 18 last year.

This is despite the penalty for driving on a mobile changing from three points and a £100 fine to six points and a £200 fine on March 1.