Pedestrians were bemused as to why a police car was going so slowly in the middle of a town centre. Then as it finally went past they realised - the lone female officer appeared to on her mobile phone as she drove.
The incident in George Street, Oldham, was caught on film and has triggered exasperation from members of the public. The footage not only appeared to show the officer either texting or dialling a number as the car moved, but also the registration number of the fully livered patrol car.
The clip has been viewed 11,000 times on social media. It prompted one person to comment: "Best read the Highway Code...it's £200 fine and six points...and a little hike on your insurance." Another person posted: "As usual 1 rule for us and another one for them. But that's the way it goes."
Businessman Raja Ish Khan said: "My brother was in George Street, Oldham at 3.50pm on Sunday. He was waiting to cross the road with a friend and wondered why a police car was traveling so slowly, as they waited for it to pass, so they could cross.
"Then they saw she was on the phone so they filmed her. The officer was so concentrating on the phone she did not notice she was being filmed as she went right by them.
"It is against the law to do that and you can tell she is not looking at the road at all - but just the phone as the car moves." The footage appears to show the officer driving for several seconds but with neither hand on the steering wheel.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "We don't have anything to add at this stage."
Law on using your phone behind the wheel
The law states it’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. The law still applies if you’re stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, supervising a learner driver, driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving or holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode.
You can use a device held in your hand if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop, you’re safely parked; you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant; you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely.
You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example: a Bluetooth headset; voice command;a dashboard holder or mat; a windscreen mount;a built-in sat nav. The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.
You can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.
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