Cop deck! Police ride upstairs on double decker buses to catch out drivers who are using their mobile phones

• Policeman in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, seen using the ‘Op Deck’ tactic 
• Directed colleagues in marked vehicles to the offending motorists 
• Stricter mobile phone legislation came into force in March 2022

Police officers have been seen riding on the top deck of buses to spot drivers using their mobile phones.

Policeman in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, were able to identify lawbreakers on top of the double-deckers and direct colleagues in marked vehicles to the offending motorists to carry out the stops.

The new road safety operation, named Op Deck, was launched on Sunday and the force said ‘multiple tickets’ were issued as a result. 

PC Zac Waterman said working on double-deckers gave officers ‘a great vantage point to view these dangerous motorists’. 

He said: ‘We have listened to the local community and businesses who regularly make complaints of motorists using their mobile phones while driving.

The new road safety operation, named Op Deck, was launched on Sunday and the force said ‘multiple tickets’ were issued as a result

PC Zac Waterman said working on double-deckers gave officers ‘a great vantage point to view these dangerous motorists’

Policeman in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, were able to identify lawbreakers on top of the double-deckers and direct colleagues in marked vehicles to the offending motorists to carry out the stops

‘Working closely with the staff and management at EYMS, we have placed PCSOs on the top deck of their buses which gives a great vantage point to view these dangerous motorists.

‘The new operation went well with multiple tickets served. The drivers admitted to the offence due to the quality of evidence, thanks to the positioning on the bus.

‘Too often we see collisions, injuries and even fatalities occur due to drivers using mobile devices.

‘The message is clear from North Yorkshire Police: this will not be tolerated. Those caught using the phones illegally will be dealt with robustly.

‘The fine currently stands at £200 along with six points on your licence. Op Deck will continue and more days of action will be staged soon.’

Police officers have been seen riding on the top deck of buses to spot drivers using their mobile phones

Stricter mobile phone legislation came into force in March 2022, taking into account the evolving technology of smart phones since the original ‘hand-held’ offence was introduced in 2003.

The meaning of ‘using’ a phone whilst driving has been expanded to cover things such as checking the time, unlocking the device, checking notifications and making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or internet-based call.

It also included drafting any text, and accessing any stored data such as documents, books, audio files, photos, videos, films, playlists, notes or messages. 

The only exemptions will be the existing one of making an emergency call, plus making contactless payment using a phone at a payment terminal for goods or services. 

The vehicle must be stationary, and the item being paid for must be provided at the same time or after the contactless payment is made.

Such phone-based transactions include paying for a car park or at a drive-through food and drink retailers.

Source: Read Full Article