A POLICE picture shows a woman allowing her young daughter to steer a 4x4 vehicle while she breaks the speed limit.

The Land Rover was wedged between lanes of busy traffic and the girl is seen without a seatbelt, and leaning out of her seat to steer the wheel.

The image shows her travelling down the A1058 Jesmond Road, Newcastle, at 35mph, breaking the 30mph limit.

Since being caught on a traffic camera, the woman has been handed a £60 fine and three penalty points.

Jeremy Forsberg, of the Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership, said: "This woman speeding with a child not in a seatbelt is a recipe for disaster.

"What is worse is that the driver is not in full control. Any braking or loss of control and it is likely the child would be seriously injured, or possibly killed.

"It is ridiculous that anyone would take a big risk like this, especially with a child. This behaviour is so irresponsible and illegal."

Other pictures show motorists continuing to use mobile phones, three years after the law banning it came in.

All have been caught at sites that have a history of accidents.

In one, a male lorry driver is seen holding his handset to his face as he tries to control the vehicle as is travels along the A167 at Barley Mow, Birtley, Gateshead.

He has since been given a £30 fine.

In another case, a tractor driver was caught as he drove down the A690 at Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, talking on his phone. He too has been handed a £30 fine.

Another image shows a female driver flicking a V-sign to a speed camera on Norham Road, North Shields. She has been given a £30 fine.

Mr Forsberg added: "Using a mobile is just another sign of anti-social behaviour and disrespect.

"It's been illegal for a few years now, but with the Road Safety Act 2006 it will be come an endorsable offence, meaning at least three points on your licence.

"Maybe, when people start to accumulate points on their licence they will realise how silly it is driving while using a mobile phone.

"It is just so dangerous."

Diane Fereira, of road safety charity Brake, said: "Whenever I see things like this it makes my blood run cold."