Sheffield Driver won't pay fine for mobile phone use

Driver won't pay fine for mobile phone use

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Driver-wont-pay-fine-for.6035073.jp

Published Date: 03 February 2010
A SHEFFIELD motorist is refusing to pay a fine for using his mobile phone while driving – claiming he simply moved it from one side of the cab to another.
Leon Bufano was in a Renault Trafic van when he says he picked up the phone, which was in a door pocket, and moved it to the bench seat beside him.

But the action was spotted by a motorcycle cop on Halifax Road, Wadsley Bridge, who pulled him over and issued a £60 fine and three penalty points for using his mobile while driving.

Leon says he can prove he wasn't using the handset and plans to contest the fine in court.

The 44-year-old of Busk Park, Shirecliffe, said it had started raining but he wanted to keep the window open because he was smoking. So he moved the phone with his right hand to stop it getting wet. His left remained on the steering wheel, he claims.

Leon said: "The cop said, 'who are you texting?' and that I committed an offence as soon as I grabbed the phone. And if I went to court I might be done for driving without due care and attention.

"When I got home I thought it didn't sound right. I could have been moving a packet of cigarettes, it's ridiculous. Where do you draw the line?

"Another person might have accepted the fine because they were frightened and then an injustice would have been done. There must be a way of checking on the spot to avoid all this worry and paperwork."

Leon has asked for call and text records from mobile phone operator Vodaphone and plans to contest the ticket.

It is an offence to use a mobile phone while driving. The penalty is a £60 fine and three points. If the matter proceeds to court, the driver can face a driving ban and a fine of up to £1,000.

Head of roads policing in South Yorkshire, Chf Insp Andy Male, said: "Using a mobile phone while driving has serious road safety implications and is considered a serious offence.

"Every year we witness fatalities and serious collisions on our roads, not just in South Yorkshire, but up and down the country because some motorists continue to use their phones while driving and subsequently do not give the road and the hazards around them their full attention.

"Motorists who use their phones while driving not only pose a danger to themselves but to other road users and will be prosecuted accordingly.

"South Yorkshire Police work closely with, and present evidence to, the Crown Prosecution Service who ensure those who ignore the law are prosecuted accordingly."

I posted that as it seems our Admin missed it The phone episode is being contested but my point is, why was he smoking in his licensed vehicle and wouldn't the local authorities have something to say about that?
Slap another whatever fine it is for smoking ! Too many drivers phone and smike whilst driving in Sheffield.

Have I missed something here, where does it say that it was a licensed vehicle,??

Licensing Section wrote:Have I missed something here, where does it say that it was a licensed vehicle,??

Moved his phone from one side of his cab to the other!

tony wrote:Driver won't pay fine for mobile phone use

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Driver-wont-pay-fine-for.6035073.jp

Published Date: 03 February 2010
A SHEFFIELD motorist is refusing to pay a fine for using his mobile phone while driving – claiming he simply moved it from one side of the cab to another.
Leon Bufano was in a Renault Trafic van when he says he picked up the phone, which was in a door pocket, and moved it to the bench seat beside him.

But the action was spotted by a motorcycle cop on Halifax Road, Wadsley Bridge, who pulled him over and issued a £60 fine and three penalty points for using his mobile while driving.

Not picking out small points but i believe it was the CAB of a VAN not a licensed vehicle, a Luton Traffic Van, ??? Its means the Cab at the front of the vehicle where the driver sits not a Hackney Cab.

tony wrote:I posted that as it seems our Admin missed it  

Now I think I agree with Licensing and can see why our Admin missed it, oh dear

Alright, I concede that you have a point, but you have to admit it was an honest mistake

Although it wasn't a licensed cab driver but if he was a tradesman in his van then perhaps your point of smoking is still would be valid IMO but it probably is a big IF:lol: