Police catch lorry driver using phone while driving on A606

A lorry driver was stopped by police after catching them using their mobile phone while driving. Officers[1] in the Melton and Rutland area spotted the driver on the A606 by Rutland Water[2] and pulled them over.

After reporting the offence, the officers explained in a Facebook[3] post that this will likely result in six points on the driver’s licence and a £200 fine.

The post, made to the Melton[4] Police Station Facebook page, said: “Melton and Rutland Neighbourhood Priority Team Officers stopped this HGV on the A606 at Rutland Water after witnessing the driver on the their mobile phone and issued a traffic offence report to the driver. This will likely result in six points on their licence and a £200 fine.

“Please stay safe on our roads and abide by the rules.”

The officers also provided links to more information about the punishments you can face for using your phone while driving. It’s still illegal to use your handheld mobile device if you’re:

  • stopped at traffic lights
  • queuing in traffic
  • supervising a learner driver
  • driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
  • holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode when driving your car

The advice adds that you can use a hand-held phone when:

  • you’re safely parked and the engine is off
  • you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
  • you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant
  • you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

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References

  1. ^ Officers (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ Rutland Water (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ Facebook (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ Melton (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  5. ^ A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid star’s terminal cancer battle (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  6. ^ newsletter here (data.reachplc.com)