Benalla Highway Patrol officers were busy yesterday morning targeting dangerous driving behaviour on the Hume Freeway as part of Operation Hands Free.
Officers issued 23 penalty notices for hand-held mobile phone use while driving between the hours of 7.30am and 1pm.
In total, one person was caught every 12 minutes, giving up $496 and four demerit points for checking a text.
Six of those caught were drivers of heavy vehicles.
Acting Sergeant Owen Clarke said people admitted to talking, texting and even checking emails while driving on the 110km/h freeway.
“Yesterday showed a timely reminder that road users must drive more responsibly, everyone plays a part in keeping our roads safe,” Act. Sgt Clarke said.
Police also arrested a 23-year-old Mansfield man after he was detected allegedly travelling 68km/h over the legal speed limit.
He has been disqualified from driving until 2022, had his car impounded at a cost of $1625 and is expected to be charged with several traffic and criminal offences.