Perhaps we should start naming and shaming everyone who does this – after all, it seriously impedes your reactions when driving and what if a celeb (or heaven forbid) a normal person does it whilst your child is playing out the street? Not a nice thought is it.
Use of hand held mobile phones in vehicles comes under Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It dictates what is lawful behind the wheel of a car in relation to a mobile (i.e. holding one and chatting isn’t, using a hands-free device is), and stipulates that this action may be met with the punishment of a penalty of £1,000 and the driver being given 3 points on their license.
The story goes something along the lines of Kelly Brook being spotted in a vehicle pulling away from traffic lights. Unfortunately, as she was doing so, she was also chatting away on her mobile phone. Apparently, she “seemed incredibly embarrassed” – she should have been – and “she got teary” – well we all react differently.
Apparently, Ms Brook was, at the time, driving a silver 4×4. I haven’t had the brand confirmed by some have suggested it was a Range Rover. This type of vehicle is so tall it’s quite easy to miss (i.e. not see) a very small child when travelling.
I’d like to draw your attention to the message given out by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents – “Operating a hand-held phone while driving is not only illegal but dangerous”. So there we are. I’m glad that Kelly didn’t bother to try and plead “but I’m a celebrity!” and stamp her heels. Nonetheless, given all the evidence on how dangerous this is it really, really annoys me.
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