Perth and Kinross Drivers risk lives for mobile chats

Aug 29 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DRIVERS across Perth and Kinross have shown they are prepared to dice with death in order to answer the phone.

The life or death conversations notched up by motorists caught this week using their mobile phone while driving included a call home to arrange collection of a parcel, a conversation about Colin Montgomerie’s performance at this week’s Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles and a sister who had lost her brother’s phone number.

The PA spent a few hours with police officers out on a one-day blitz on mobile phone menaces and the results were shocking.

Road traffic constable Steve Whittet said: “Of all the drivers I’ve ever stopped I have never known anyone take a call that couldn’t wait.

“Virtually everyone has an answer machine on their mobile. So, if it’s important, callers will leave a message.”

On Wednesday, within just 90 minutes, three drivers had to abruptly end their calls to speak to police after they were spotted talking on their mobile phone while negotiating the notorious A9.

The first was a 39-year-old reporter on his way to the golf at Gleneagles driving a 4x4 hire car.

Sitting in the back of the police car he admitted: “You don’t think you are going to get caught.

“I have got a Bluetooth handsfree kit, but because this is a hire car I didn’t have it.”

His illegal phone call cost him a £60 fixed-penalty fine and three points stamped on his licence.

Sent on his way with “stay safe” tidings from traffic cop constable Keith Sutherland, the sheepish driver - clutching his ticket – added: “I took the call because it was my boss, but it wasn’t worth it really.”

Just minutes later a top-spec Range Rover passed, its driver chatting away into his mobile phone.

Springing into action, police pursued the car. It took 15 miles, and one obstructive driver oblivious of the police sirens and flashing lights, before officers closed in on the 4x4.

The 34-year-old property developer behind the wheel had driven one-handed around Broxden roundabout and was just hanging up when police caught up with him.

While the snared motorist explained his car did have a handsfree kit, but he didn’t know how to use it, the driver of a hire-van passed by – so engrossed in talking away on his phone – he was oblivious to the police constables standing on the hard shoulder.

As officers headed south towards the traffic blackspot, the A9 Auchterarder by-pass, a motorist was spotted in the outside lane of the opposite carriageway.

Pulled over by police, the apologetic 38-year-old company director said: “I was doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

“My sister had called looking for my brother’s number.”

And then he confessed: “I’ve actually got two handsfree kits.”

Reflecting on the operation, Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing stressed the law was there to protect road users.

“Tayside Police will use all legislative powers at its disposal to try to improve safety on our roads,” he vowed.

And added: “Our advice is simple – switch off before you drive off.”