Man using a mobile phone while driving
Man caught using TWO phones at the wheel on the A47 near Blofield
Peter Walsh
Thursday, May 26, 2011
7:49 AM
A motorist was stopped by police for using not just one, but two mobile phones on one of Norfolk’s busiest roads, it has emerged.
Shocked road policing officers spotted the male driver holding one phone to his ear talking while using another to text while on the A47 at Blofield.
The driver was stopped by police and had his vehicle seized for no insurance, and is likely to face a court appearance as a result of both offences.
The incident, which happened at about 10.40am on May 17, is one of hundreds of offences to be picked up during a two-week crackdown on motorists using mobile phones behind the wheel.
In all, 239 people were stopped by police during the campaign and warned by officers that driving while using a mobile phone will not be tolerated.
The Think! Norfolk advertising and enforcement campaign saw drivers who are caught using a mobile phone whilst driving either appearing in court to face a £60 fixed penalty notice and having their licence endorsed with three penalty points, or under-taking a re-education programme to look at their reasons for using a mobile phone whilst driving.
The level of the fine can rise to £1,000 if taken through the courts and to £2,500 if driving a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle. The radio, poster and media advertising campaign, which ran throughout May, reminded drivers to ‘zip it behind the wheel’ and that ‘distracted drivers cause destruction’.
Inspector David Ball from Norfolk police’s road policing department said the campaign had issued a hard-hitting warning to those who continue to ignore the law. He said: “Using a mobile phone whilst driving is foolish and unacceptable.
“It has been shown to multiply the chances of drivers causing a collision which could result in injuring or even killing someone.”
Police ran the campaign in conjunction with Norfolk County Council, the emergency services and Highways Agency.
For more information log on to www.think.norfolk.gov.uk/
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21 comments
There have been a few cases where people have caused the deaths of other people by texting whilst driving and yet I still see that every day. I have reported several people who regularly drive whilst using phones but the police are powerless unless they see it with their own eyes.
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samphirelover
Sunday, May 29, 2011
You can't use the phone records to prove or disprove this, because the offence is actually "using" a handheld mobile device. This doesn't mean just making a call or texting, but also checking the clock, changing the music (if it is an iphone) or doing anything that smartphones can now do. Incidentally, all the things drivers do that distract them as listed below are already crimes as well- driving without due care and can be punished by fines and points or ban, it's just the police don't do anything about them.
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Chubster
Friday, May 27, 2011
It's not right, but it's just one of a multitude of 'wrongs'. Police officers using their radiophone (not hands free) whilst driving? Smoking at the wheel or lighting up? Women doing their make up? Eating lunch? Just as dangerous...
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Andy T
Friday, May 27, 2011
Ok the police have had a bit of a crackdown but I think in general they don't take it very seriously as an acquaintance of mine reported drivers using a mobiles on a least two occasions and has never heard another thing.
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John L Norton
Friday, May 27, 2011
OMG 2 PHONES how stupid can u get
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Matthew Ayling
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Two phones? Remarkable skill from the driver, was it The Stig..?
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Valpy Word
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I think you have to have draconian measures to stop this type of offence. Maybe if the vehicle is confiscated for a time would be better than just suspending the driver, and for no insurance, well sell the vehicle to pay their fines. If they cannot afford insurance then they cannot afford the car.
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canuk
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Drivers who use their mobile phones whilst driving should lose their licence for a very long time. This would give them ample time to make as many calls on their mobile phones during their time away from the wheel. Eventually they would have to re-sit the driving test. Perhaps such draconian measures would reduce the number of drivers who ignore the law in this matter.
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Skippo
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Crackdown? I've heard nothing about it either. They shouldn't need a crackdown, a £60 fine isn't going to put off people from using their phones, I see drivers on phones on nearly every road journey I take. Heavier penalties are needed, there just isn't a deterant at the moment, it should be another instant ban offence. Why are there so many double posts on the comments section? It keeps happening to me, sort it out Archant website techs.
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Rob_H
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I hope he does get the maximum fine and will not be able to afford any insurance in future, keep these idiots off the road. Good point about tinted windows, why this obsession with not being seen driving? have these people got something to hide besides their faces? What next? driving with your eyes covered?
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ingo wagenknecht
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Having blacked out windows is itself an offence. IMO, not enough is being done to combat phone-driving. It's easy money too, so why not up the detection?
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LLCK
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I have never heard of the campaign run throughout May but perhaps I still have a chance as it is only 25 May!
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Norwich lad
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Only likely to appear in court? How on earth was this idiot steering whilst using TWO mobile phones? His car should not be returned to him and he should face a hefty fine and a driving ban. He had no insurance, despite being able to afford TWO mobile phones. What would have been his excuse if he had been involved in an accident, particularly if it was fatal?
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Norwich lad
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I have come across this in bus and taxi travel in southern Europe and wonder whether it's part of driver training there. On a scary bus ride from central Rome to Ciampino Airport a few weeks ago, a combination of the driver's thighs and elbows seemed to be controlling the wheel as much as anything else. Going from phone to gear change and back is an art form.
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Ian Vargeson
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Driving whilst using a mobile phone has nothing to do with the penalty & everything to do with the fact that the Police normally don't do anything about it, so normally there is no consequence involved. A £5 fine would be effective, if those who persist in this dangerous activity, faced the reality of regularly finding Norfolk Police officers happy to get out of their cars & do something.
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el84
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I think the penalties are too light....should be a heavier fine, more points and maybe the confiscation of the vehicle of repeat offenders which then has storage charges applied. Until this happens people will be happy to accept the small fine and few points added.
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Adey
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Try stopping, and checking the phone records of those who have "blacked out" windows. Especially the 4x4 drivers.
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Karl Hunter
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Try stopping, and checking the phone records of those who have "blacked out" windows. Especially the 4x4 drivers.
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Karl Hunter
Thursday, May 26, 2011
This sort of thing is seen on a daily basis - whilst this guy decided he did not need insurance but could afford two phones - what annoys me more are the drivers of expensive cars who can't be bothered to buy a hands free kit - but can afford the 50k for the vehicle. This week I followed a van weaving around on the road, when I got an opportunity to pass it - the driver was on the phone and had a map (or something) spread out across the steering wheel and was steering with his elbows. It seems to be a regular occurence now to see drivers drifting across the roads - an accident waiting to happen I think!
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kevin rymell
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Two mobile 'phones yet didn't bother to insure his vehicle, one of many, be interesting to know how many were caught and fined anywhere near the maximum amount.
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Paul Platten
Thursday, May 26, 2011
"holding one phone to his ear talking while using another to text" - whatever was he steering with?
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Thoreauwasright
Thursday, May 26, 2011