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DRIVERS STILL RISKING LIVES FOR A CHAT
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 25 September 2009
THIS driver at Mumps roundabout was among those caught by a Chronicle photographer flouting the law banning mobile phone use while driving.
And law-breaking motorists will be the target today when high-tech mobile cameras takes to Oldham’s roads.
Drivers caught using their mobile while driving will receive a £60 fixed penalty and three penalty points on their licence.
If the case goes to court and they are found guilty, the maximum fine is £1,000 for car drivers and £2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses or coaches.
The mobile CCTV cameras are fitted to two Smart cars run by the Greater Manchester Accident Reduction Partnership.
Mike Downes, the partnership’s project manager, said: “On a monthly average we detect 650 offenders, and 95 per cent of them pay the fixed penalty.
“A lot of accidents are caused by people losing control of cars, many of them using mobile phones.
“We have two Smart cars, well signed with a large extending mast from the roof with a camera on the top, operated by two PCSOs.
“They cover the whole of the Greater Manchester area, and they are in Oldham this week.”
Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure said: “There have been several deaths in the UK in the last year caused by people using their mobile phones to text or answer a call while driving.
“Recent research from the RAC showed that reaction times slowed by 35 per cent when 17 to 24-year-olds drove while reading and writing text messages.
“Texters often drifted out of lanes, had poorer steering control and the overall driving performance was poor.
“This is a serious issue and quite rightly anyone caught can expect a £60 fine and three penalty points at least.
“The council works in schools and colleges, and with the public, to reduce the number of collisions involving young drivers across the borough. We all need to appreciate that a few seconds distraction can cause a lifetime’s regret — no call or text is worth the risk.”
Comments
it happens all the time and its annoying. Ban them instantly, no questions asked. I had an in car phone kit installed 4 years ago and it is much safer and despite this i still only use it in an emergency and I dont take calls. Better to be safe than sorry.
I hope the driver in image number 4 is not in a works van, as it is also illegal to smoke. These photographs should be a regular item in The Chron until the abuse stops. Do these images get passed on to the police?
HAHA GOTCHA ! ! ! SHAME THERES NO INSTANT BAN LIVES GET LOST THROUGH CARELESS DRIVERS WELL DONE SPOTTERS
I see it every day drivng through glodwick, mostly the same drivers, some are so laid back you see the phone first, with regards the plastic police I have seen them turn a blind eye on a number of ocassions.
Ban them for life...it is the only way to deter the use of mobile phones when driving. There is nothing as horrifying as witnessing this act of stupidity when driving on a motorway.
I recently saw a white van driver texting whilst driving and the idiot just glared at me when I made a certain gesture at him.
Look on You Tube for "COW texting whilst driving" and you can see what happens if you are stupid enough to do that.
Half of the people who use their phones whilst driving, also fail to wear seat belts!
The police can ban people from driving, but there is so little respect in our society that anybody who did get banned would just continue to drive because there is n harsh deterrant!
I hope the Chron has passed the vehicle details & the photos to the police. Surely it would be the responsible thing to do, to ensure these dangerous drivers face the penalties of the law?
What about all the idiots without seat belts as well ? no action seems to be taken on that one either.If they are injured in a crash will the insurance company ( if they have one ) pay compensation ?
i totally agree that it is dangerous and they need to sort this problem out.
but these cameras are technically illegal and cannot be used as evidence. there must be a clear signage up indicating that there is cctv in the area. which these don not have.
if they're getting 95% of 650 per month doesnt that mean 5% realise this and dont pay because they dont have to.
It is of questionable legality that the Chronicle is publishing these pictures. It also smacks of a 'big brother' way of reporting. OK these offences have been committed, but does anyone remember the problems caused by pictures of suspectred paedophiles being published and all that it led to? If these pictures are taken and because the rules around use of CCTV have been ignored, then they should not be published.
Can we PLEASE have a better photo of these selfish imbiciles as we the public will then be able to tell them exactly what we think about them. The law seems to be far too busy inspecting bins and other pointless tasks instead of bringing these idiots to justice.
is that DJ Dumma?
on route 2 lapland no doubt...
ProDriver: Interesting theory, but there can be few paralells drawn between a child sex fiend and a driver who uses a phone whilst driving!
Of course this happens, like driving and parking on pavements, parking on double yellows, blocking pavements. The police not only have zero interest in dealing with is, they are often the perpetrators!
Have Your Say
I still see drivers using their mobile phones, while driving. They should get a fine, and get banned from driving for five years.
By Raggy @ 25/09/2009 12:55:20