Driving out the mobile menace

Smart CCTV car deployed by the police to film notorists on mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts.

LAW-breaking motorists were yesterday targeted by a mini crime-fighting machine.

Greater Manchester Police’s CCTV Smart car was stationed at Mumps yesterday on the look-out for drivers using their mobile phone at the wheel or not wearing a seatbelt.

In only 40 minutes, PCSO Angela Jarvis caught four drivers without a seatbelt and two on the phone while driving.

While PCSO Jarvis spots the misbehaving motorists and makes notes, the clever in-car CCTV records the offending vehicle’s registration number and records footage of their law-breaking.

A still photograph and details of their punishment is then sent to the registered address of the vehicle. Failing to wear a seatbelt carries a £60 fine while drivers using a phone at the wheel face three penalty points and a £60 fine.

GMP currently has two of the CCTV Smart cars and they are out across the county every day.