Man caught reading behind the wheel on Melbourne freeway

A man has been caught reading a book while driving a van on a bustling Melbourne freeway.

Footage obtained by 9News shows the motorist holding the book with one hand, while using the other hand to steer down the Princes Freeway .

The silver van was headed westbound on the freeway, which has a 100km/h speed limit, past Doherty’s Road at about 5pm yesterday.

Victoria Police have told 9News they will be making further enquiries in wake of the "disturbing" incident.

“This footage appears to show a person reading while driving. If that’s the case, this is very disturbing and high-risk behaviour that not only puts that  driver at risk, but everyone else in close proximity," a spokesperson said.

“Driving is a complex task that requires full concentration and it is essential drivers minimise the risk of distraction in their vehicle.

"You clearly can’t drive and read at the same time."

Driving while distracted is a serious offence, and in Victoria attracts a $387 fine, and three demerit points.

The new video comes as authorities report that distracted driving has reached epidemic levels in Australia.

Doctor John Crozier from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons previously told 9News he believes the "enforcement we have isn't working... the penalties have to be appropriate for what's at stake".

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