Driver seen FaceTiming behind wheel

28 April 2014 Last updated at 22:16 A lorry driver told officers he was driving while using his mobile phone because it was unlawful to stop on the hard shoulder A motorist was seen using video chat app FaceTime while driving, Surrey Police have revealed.

The unnamed car driver was using a tablet on their lap while at the wheel.

Officers spotted the incident during a three-month pilot scheme which used an unmarked HGV tractor to target lorry drivers breaking the law.

Insp Richard Mallett, of the Surrey Roads Policing Unit, said officers had also spotted a lorry driver texting with one foot on the dashboard.

"The person FaceTiming was actually a car driver, but because we were higher up, we could see down into the car," he said.

He said most of those stopped were lorry drivers, but that a significant number of car drivers were also driving "appallingly".

A total of 436 vehicles were stopped between February and earlier this month, 270 of which were commercial vehicles.

'Little knife'

Some 333 drivers were given fixed penalty notices, 44 were given words of advice, 27 got graduated fixed penalties - given to those who do not have UK addresses - and eight were summonsed.

Insp Mallett said a knife with a 6in (15cm) blade had been seized from a Dutch lorry driver, who said in Holland it was "a little knife".

"One chap admitted 'I haven't worn a seatbelt for 20 years - this is the first time I've been stopped'," he added.

Some 436 vehicles in total were stopped between February and earlier this month,

A petrol tanker driver "begged" officers not to tell his employer he was not wearing his seatbelt because he would lose his job, the force said.

A Lithuanian lorry driver said he was driving while using his mobile phone because it was unlawful to stop on the hard shoulder.

A driver who "hogged" lane three said: "It's your fault, officer, you shouldn't have been so close behind me".

Another, stopped for speeding, said: "How am I supposed to know my speed?"

The three-month pilot, called Operation Tramline, was led by Surrey Police and included officers from Sussex, Hampshire and the Thames Valley and Warwickshire, in partnership with the Highways Agency.

Insp Mallett said the force felt the scheme had been successful.

"Any incident we prevent prevents delays to the network and reduces the numbers of injuries and casualties on our roads," he said.

Gamer to racing driver in three years

By Debbie Randle
Newsbeat reporter Watch our reporter Debbie challenge Lucas to a race

Lucas Ordonez says 2008 was the year his life changed forever.

He's since become a cult figure among gamers as someone who managed to go from racing in his bedroom, to becoming a real life professional racing driver.

The 26-year-old, from Spain, had just been another guy, playing the Gran Turismo racing game on his console.

The GT Academy is a competition run by Sony PlayStation and Nissan. Gamers from across Europe start by competing online in a GT5 time trial.

Lucas, from Spain, says in the beginning he thought it was impossible to win.  http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4712.m570.l1313&_nkw=dvd+with+media+on+it&_sacat=See-All-Categories

"Around 25,000 people entered and I wasn't a big gamer, I just played like a normal guy," he said.

"I started training every day and I got good. Then I thought maybe I could actually win."

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I wasn't a big gamer, I just played like a normal guy. But I started training every day and I got good

Lucas Ordoñez, professional racing driver Silverstone

He managed to get down to the final 12. He then had to take part in a race camp at Silverstone where all the finalists are put through their paces, and get to race on the main track.

"The final at Silverstone was really tough," he revealed. "We had fitness tests, driving tests and media tests. It was hard work but a great experience for me."

Lucas came out on top. His prize was three months training to get an international licence, then, in January 2009, he took part in the Dubai 24-hour race.

Since then, Lucas has trained hard and just completed Le Mans where he finished second in his category.

"Sometimes I go to bed and I think am I really here...in Le Mans or Dubai.

"Three years ago I was a student and now I'm a professional racing driver, it's fantastic."

This year the competition has been held again, 90,000 entered. Two gamers from the UK are among the 12 finalists competing at the race camp at Silverstone.

"I've shown that a gamer can become a professional racing driver in just three years," he said.

"My life's completely changed. It's really tough but it's what I always dreamt about."

View the original article here

Driver killed as 4x4 strikes tree

1 January 2011 Last updated at 11:29 A 23-year-old motorist died when his 4x4 pick-up truck hit a tree in Shropshire.

Emergency services were called to the A495 in Ellesmere shortly after 0200 GMT.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said the driver was confirmed dead at the scene.

West Mercia Police said the driver had been in a blue Ford Ranger. The accident took place close to the junction with the A528.

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