The driver was caught eating his morning cereal at the wheel

A DRIVER in Scotland was caught by police eating a bowl of cereal behind the wheel of his car on the Queensferry Crossing towards Edinburgh.

The 23-year-old was caught as part of a new Operation Tramline, which has been running since April 26.

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In the operation, officers use undercover trucks to increase their visibility because they sit higher than most other vehicles on the road.

The driver was fined £100 for the offense and added three points to her driving licence.

A total of 85 criminal offenses were reported in the first two weeks of the initiative.

It is being tested on dual carriageways and motorways in Fife, in and around Edinburgh and in the Forth Valley area.

Road Police Officer Tom Aitken said: “Reducing the number of road casualties is a priority for Police Scotland and we are always looking at ways to improve our ability to investigate traffic offences.

“In addition to working closely with partners to make roads safer for all road users, we regularly use dashcam, headcam and CCTV footage to investigate traffic offenses.

“Most people are aware of the effects alcohol and drugs can have on driving, but the little things can be overlooked. It’s just not wise to eat while driving, it’s downright dangerous.

“The same goes for using any mobile device and reading. If you do this, you will be distracted and not in proper control of your vehicle. Loss of concentration for a split second can lead to an accident.

The RAC says: “No, it is not illegal to eat while driving.

“However, if you’re distracted while snacking behind the wheel, police could prosecute you for careless driving if they believe you’re not controlling the vehicle properly, an offense punishable by a £100 fine on the spot three penalty points.”