Four-hour blitz nabs 175 city drivers
By Clay Lucas
February 15, 2006 - 11:34AM
It took plain-clothes police just four hours to fine 175 city drivers yesterday for talking on their mobile phone and failing to wear seatbelts.
Police handed out a total of 225 on-the-spot fines, including 121 fines for driving while talking on a mobile phone and 54 for not putting on a seatbelt.
Another eight were fined for driving unregistered vehicles, and one was caught driving without a license. The remaining fines were for miscellaneous offences including running a red light, failing to stop at an intersection, and other minor matters.
Drivers were surprised to be stopped by the plain-clothes police but a police spokesman said they would continue to employ unusual tactics to catch people talking on their phones while driving, because it was so dangerous.
"There are legal ways for people to speak on a mobile phone while driving," said Inspector Stephen Mutton.
"(But) there is clearly a group of people that will not take advantage of the hands-free or speaker phone options."
Inspector Mutton also said some drivers were too complacent about not wearing seatbelts.
"Seatbelts are essential every time you are in a car. ... Seatbelts save lives and it's just not worth the risk," he said.
By Clay Lucas
February 15, 2006 - 11:34AM
It took plain-clothes police just four hours to fine 175 city drivers yesterday for talking on their mobile phone and failing to wear seatbelts.
Police handed out a total of 225 on-the-spot fines, including 121 fines for driving while talking on a mobile phone and 54 for not putting on a seatbelt.
Another eight were fined for driving unregistered vehicles, and one was caught driving without a license. The remaining fines were for miscellaneous offences including running a red light, failing to stop at an intersection, and other minor matters.
Drivers were surprised to be stopped by the plain-clothes police but a police spokesman said they would continue to employ unusual tactics to catch people talking on their phones while driving, because it was so dangerous.
"There are legal ways for people to speak on a mobile phone while driving," said Inspector Stephen Mutton.
"(But) there is clearly a group of people that will not take advantage of the hands-free or speaker phone options."
Inspector Mutton also said some drivers were too complacent about not wearing seatbelts.
"Seatbelts are essential every time you are in a car. ... Seatbelts save lives and it's just not worth the risk," he said.
