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'Learner Driver' Seen FaceTiming While Behind The Wheel

'Learner Driver' Seen FaceTiming While Behind The Wheel

The motorist was spotted using a device at a roundabout

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Footage has been shared on social media appearing to show a 'learner' driver using FaceTime while out on the road.

The clip was filmed on a dash cam by a fellow driver travelling through Cannock, West Midlands, yesterday (2 February).

It shows a silver Citroën, with an L plate stuck on the rear window, approaching a roundabout. But as the car behind gets closer, the driver of the vehicle can be seen using their phone, which is sat in a holder on the dashboard, appearing to answer a video call.

As he realises what is going on, Mark Deeley, the driver of the car behind, can be heard saying: "This learner driver is messing with her phone, she is FaceTiming someone."

Mark's wife replies: "Looks like a baby on the screen."

Mark then beeps to draw attention to the fact that the video chat has been spotted, but the passenger in the Citroën waves it off and they drive away.

Deadline

Angered by the confrontation, Mark later shared the video to Facebook, writing: "Learner driver starts a FaceTime Video call while out driving untaxed car in Cannock.

"Then the passenger fobs me off... If not for that, I wouldn't have posted this, well done."

Mark later replied to his post saying: "Not interested in grassing them up, each to their own. The missus and I were just gobsmacked.

"It was a learner, on FaceTime and the full licence holder flicking us off.

"Horn wasn't intended as aggressive, just merely a 'Hello... we can see what you're doing'."

Defending Mark's decision to share the video, one user commented: "I know not everyone is interested in being a grass but distracted drivers are incredibly dangerous and need to be removed from the road.

Deadline

"I doubt this is the first time this person has done it, this evidence could make it the last time."

According to figures from the RAC, around one in five under-25s are using FaceTime, Snapchat or WhatsApp while behind the wheel - the highest level of drivers making calls illegally since 2016.

The law banning the use of mobile phone while driving came into force in 2003.

However, a loophole meant that drivers could technically get away with using phones to take photos and videos while driving. This loophole is expected to be closed in the coming months.

Speaking to the BBC, Ronnie Simpson, a lawyer specialising in road, traffic and dangerous driving, said: "The general rule is that you cannot hold your mobile in your hand and use it whilst driving, so hands-free tends to be ok, but texting is not.

"The general rule is that you cannot hold your mobile in your hand and use it whilst driving, so hands-free tends to be ok, but texting is not."

LADbible has reached out to Staffordshire Police for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Deadline News

Topics: Police, Phones and Gadgets, UK News, crime, Cars