Police have revealed a sample of the various excuses they hear when motorists are caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel.
Surrey Police said officers have heard people blame "ranting" ex-wives, their bosses and even impending childbirth.
One driver admitted he missed a red light because he was busy talking on the phone, while another denied that he had made a call and said he was "only using the internet".
The long list of excuses have been published as part of the Drive SMART campaign, which is looking to cut down the number of drivers using mobile phones.
If caught using a phone while on the roads, drivers face paying a fine and picking up three penalty points, which could make their car insurance more expensive.
One driver even asked for help from the officer when he was pulled over, saying: "It was my ex-wife harassing me, can you speak to her?"
Meanwhile, another said it was his boss ringing to check where he was.
A father-to-be told officers he thought it might have been his pregnant wife telling him she was going into labour.
But one driver admitted that he is a regular offender, saying: "I am always using it. It's about time I got caught."
Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council's cabinet member for community safety, urged drivers to follow the advice of the Drive SMART initiative and avoid being put in this situation.
Excuses for being on the phone
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
And there are moves afoot to at least double the fine in the very near future
- thedupleman
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
I see no Russian ?
Look out guys it’s him that thinks he’s in charge!
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
They shouldn't double the fine though. They should ban you for life. Like a lot of other things with driving should receive instant ban. Why should anyone deserve to be on the road when they are happy to break the law and put others lives in danger?
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
Been a couple post that appeared to be Russian when I try read them will try get a screen shot to show youthedupleman wrote:I see no Russian ?
Not trying is failing
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
There were some spammers by the looks of it in the log. Sorted now though
smokebelch wrote:I'm sure some Reebok classic wearing chav will love the whole look you've got going on
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
Cheers Lexo was starting think I was losing my mindLexo wrote:There were some spammers by the looks of it in the log. Sorted now though
Not trying is failing
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
I know a guy who when this law first came out used to drive around holding a mars bar to his ear just to wind up the police. They would stop him and try to do him for being on the phone and he would insist they must be wrong because he does not own a mobile phone.
I think he stopped it when the police got fed up searching his car and never finding a phone so eventually did him for driving without due care and attention.
I think he stopped it when the police got fed up searching his car and never finding a phone so eventually did him for driving without due care and attention.
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
I remember that woman who got fined for eating an apple while driving.
Who You Choose To Be Around You, Lets You Know Who You Are.
- Rod Panhard
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
There was also the guy who got fined for sneezing who took his hand off the wheel to cover his mouth.
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Re: Excuses for being on the phone
I haven't heard that one - that's just ridiculousRod Panhard wrote:There was also the guy who got fined for sneezing who took his hand off the wheel to cover his mouth.
Who You Choose To Be Around You, Lets You Know Who You Are.
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