Police use lorry to catch Cambridgeshire drivers using mobile phone on A1

Road policing officers from the Commercial Vehicle Unit patrolled roads throughout Cambridgeshire in an effort to catch motorists breaking the law.

During the operation on Monday 26 January, officers drove an adapted police lorry across Cambridgeshire roads including A1(M), A1307, A14 and M11. In total the team caught six motorists on their phones. They also stopped vehicles for driving without due care, having insecure loads, and possessing excessively tinted windows.

The team took photos of the drivers who were using their mobile phones and reported them where they will now face a £200 fine and six points on their licence.

“We have witnessed the tragic results that even a brief lapse in attention can bring"

Sergeant Chris Payne, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Unfortunately, too many motorists fail to appreciate how their actions behind the wheel can impact themselves, their passengers, and others sharing the road. “We have witnessed the tragic results that even a brief lapse in attention can bring. If you feel the urge to use your mobile whilst driving, it’s best to put it safely out of reach in the glove box or boot. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to clamp down on those who disregard the law, ensuring our roads remain safe for everyone.”

What the law says:

It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.

This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.

For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.

The law still applies to you 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

Exceptions

You can use a device held in your hand if:

you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop

you’re safely parked

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

Penalties

You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle.

You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years.

Using devices hands-free

You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example:

a Bluetooth headset

voice command

a dashboard holder or mat

a windscreen mount

a built-in sat nav

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.