ESSEX: We name and shame mobile phone drivers
TODAY the Chronicle is taking the unprecedented step of naming and shaming motorists caught using their mobile phones at the wheel.
Despite tougher penalties and hardline police campaigns, motorists are still endangering the lives of other road users and pedestrians by using their phones while driving.
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KNEW IT WAS WRONG: Craig Shelley has his details taken by PC David Scott
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FACING A FINE : Yi Hang Chan with PC David Scott
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SPEEDING: Yi Hang Chan read a text message
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SECOND TIME: Gemma Dean was paying her fine
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NO EXCUSE: Craig Shelley "wasn't thinking"
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FORGETFUL: Barry Cargill didn't use Bluetooth
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NEVER AGAIN: Nicholas Skelton says it's the last time
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BAD DAY: Stephen Reynolds reporting a theft
We took to the roads with Essex Police in a bid to highlight the problem, but for some it just did not sink in.
When asked why she was on the phone, Gemma Dean said she was paying another fine she had been given for the same offence!
She added: "I don't like people telling me how to live my life. I know I am a safe driver and I'm not going to run anyone over."
Asked if she considered the risk of hurting someone else while using her phone while driving, she answered: "I don't really care."
It was not Stephen Reynolds' lucky day when he was pulled over after being spotted using his phone while driving close to Chelmer Village, Chelmsford.
Mr Reynolds, 35, of Chelmsford, said: "It has not been a good day – I had £1,000 worth of tools stolen this morning, and was just reporting it to my boss."
Company director Nicholas Skelton, 23, of Basildon, admitted he had been checking his voicemail when he was spotted with a phone pressed to his ear.
Mr Skelton said: "I have no excuse – I shouldn't have done it. I haven't been stopped for using a phone while driving before – I definitely won't do it again."
Barry Cargill, 38, of Braintree, said: "I have a Bluetooth which I usually use, but today I forgot to connect it up.
"This is just another form of tax, like speed cameras – how come it is safe to use a sat-nav or change your radio station while driving, but it isn't safe to use a phone?"
Yi Hang Chan, of West Mersea, was spotted using his phone to read a text message while driving above the speed limit along the A12.
He said: "I knew it was illegal but I didn't think – I feel a bit stupid now."
Craig Shelley, 28, of Boreham, was using his phone to take a work-related call, close to his home in the village as he arrived back from work.
He said: "I have no excuse. I just wasn't thinking about what I was doing. I answered the phone – I know I shouldn't have done it."
All the drivers caught admitted using phones while driving and are expected to be fined and have points on their licence.
Where do you stand on the driving while phoning debate? Call the Newsdesk on 01245 603360, email us at Newsdesk@essexchronicle.co.uk or have your say at www.thisistotalessex.co.uk.
Buy this week's Chronicle for more on the issue and to see if you were pictured on the phone behind the wheel by our photographers.
21 Comments
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by George, Chelmsford
Sunday, January 10 2010, 2:36PM
“No you wern't Dear John, you not that bright , you were actually lecturing us on what was not possible in your vaccum of a mind , but as RM explained, it may be tough to take out a legal case for LIbel , but not impossible .
I have ( even Lance ) the mental capacity to grasp your argument, but is your current life devoted to spreading utter ignorance? Kindly , grasp your ears firmly and remove your head from up your derriere.”
by Catherine, Chelmsford
Saturday, January 09 2010, 2:19PM
“Never mind "name and shame".. Go to the editorial and panic.. It asks us to consider the argument "keep your eyes and both hands on the wheel" ! That it is not just physically what you are doing..*!? I NEVER have kept my eyes there. They stay in my head and ON THE ROAD!”
by John, Chelmsford
Saturday, January 09 2010, 12:33PM
“Indeed, R M, that was pretty much what I was trying to explain to George and Lance, unfortunately they don't quite seem to quite have the mental capacity to grasp the argument.
I think they must be members of the idiot core (together with the lovely sounding Gemma from the story) who just blindly refuse to accept the facts in front of their faces, that driving while phoning is dangerous. A bit like the dinosaurs who carried on drink-driving for years after it was made illegal - arrogantly believing the law was made for "stupid people" and not themselves - luckily these are mostly banned from the road, in prison or dead now.”
by R M Chater, Brentwood
Saturday, January 09 2010, 12:08PM
“You'd have a tough time bringing a libel suit in this situation. The Chronicle has reported an offence - there's no allusion to the offender's character, nor does it mention any other crime of which they might be guilty. There is simply no case for defamation.
Whether this constitutes constructive journalism is a matter of personal opinion, but I'd argue it's more newsworthy than a lot of what appears in the Chronicle.”
by George, Chelmsford
Saturday, January 09 2010, 9:36AM
“Dear John, are you handicapped, suffer from dyslexia or a late night glue sniffer ?
'George - I can barely understand you at all there mate - but it looks like you, also, failed to refute anything i've said." .......???
Well Huh ???”
by John, Chelmsford
Saturday, January 09 2010, 12:16AM
“Lance - it was a typo - can you actually refute anything I said? What leads you to believe I misunderstand the law?
George - I can barely understand you at all there mate - but it looks like you, also, failed to refute anything i've said.
Good night, you pair of imbeciles!”
by Lance the Profit of Gode ., essex
Friday, January 08 2010, 11:26PM
“NON True eh John ?
Your command of the English language is rather like your unstanding of English Law one feels :-)”
by George, Chelmsford
Friday, January 08 2010, 8:00PM
“Oh Dear John , when did your mind leave you for man with something other than a penus growing from his forehead ? You actually believe everything you read in this newspaper ? Don't feel bad John. A lot of people have no talent.”
by John, Chelmsford
Friday, January 08 2010, 3:38PM
“George just one small problem with your claims of "defamation of character" - in order to libel someone the statement has to be NON TRUE and as all these people were fined by the police for using phones, i think they would have a hard time proving this papers comments are NOT TRUE oh dear George not to bright are we mate heehee”
by George., Chelmsford
Friday, January 08 2010, 3:21PM
“Oh dear Stephanie , dont have a Sad Friend nr Ipswich called Troy Elliot by any chance ? You will see that this newpaper has what it calls a soap box and it is called free speech , something your kind nazi would rather us not have, whilst the Christians try to run the world and their sad way . Did you know the Holy See( ie the Pope and the Vatican ) is trying in many Central European counties to form Treatys' that override EU Law on freedom of choice and Human Rights Laws, now enshrined in the all powerful, new (I joke) EU Constitution ?
Beside I dont hate Christians , they cause me much amusement , ( as they do this news rag ! ) with their smug ways , only to constantly fall off their logs in yet another scandel !
As for lol John, perhaps you should look up the actual Law regarding the use of a Mobile and the rights of this newpaper ...reporting is one thing , claiming to name and 'SHAME' is against Human Rights Act ..and could be libel and/or slander. ... That area of law most implicated by that type of conduct is called "defamation of character".
Beside I dont hate Christians , they cause me much amusement , with their smug ways , only to constantly fall off their logs in yet another scandel !”