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Undercover cops use sneaky tactic to catch distracted drivers

There’s been a recent crackdown across Australia on motorists who use mobile phones behind the wheel.

But police in Atlanta, US, have taken their operation to catch offending drivers to the next level by going undercover.

What appears to be construction workers at first glance, a bunch of cops dressed in high-visibility vests are fooling residents in Atlanta, Georgia, in their bid to catch disobedient drivers.

Undercover Atlanta police officers are seen posing as construction workers in high-visibility vests and hard hats at the side of the road.
Police officers are seen here disguised as tradies in Atlanta. Source: WSB-TV
An undercover officer in Georgia informs uniformed police of a violation he's spotted via a walkie-talkie.
An officer speaks into a walkie-talkie to inform his colleagues of any offenders. Source: WSB-TV

Armed with radios, cops alerted uniformed officers of any breaches who then set off in pursuit of the offenders.

Police told US news station WSB-TV officers had issued more than 60 tickets in just three hours on Tuesday (local time).

First offenders were fined US$50 (AU$71) while second offenders were hit with US$100 (AU$142) and third offenders US$150 (AU$213).

“They’re looking for direct violations so this could be someone texting on their phone... playing on social media,” Officer Sydney Melton said.

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