26th January 2012

WEST DORSET: 'No Excuse' police target drivers

By Trevor Bevins

Police in Dorchester have stopped a man playing a harmonica at the wheel – using both hands!

“He was quickly caught by officers and claimed that he thought he was driving while playing the harmonica quite successfully,” said Chief Inspector Bob Nichols, Head of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit.

The man was just one of dozens caught on one day last week as part of the force “No Excuse” campaign.

Chief Inspector Nichols added: “Another man parked his vehicle in an area reserved for officers conducting checks next to the ‘no excuse’ mobile phone sign.

“The driver proceeded to use his mobile phone and then drove off still using his phone in front of four officers in high visibility jackets.

“The man was completely shocked when an officer ran up and banged on his window to stop. Clearly surprised, he stated he had not seen any of the officers, and was not even aware that he had moved off, as he was so intent on his phone conversation.”

Other examples include a van driver who photographed an accident while driving and then came back, in full view of the police, to take more pictures.

Dorset Police say their two-year long “no excuse” project has been so successful that it has been copied by other forces.

“It is always said that imitation is the highest form of flattery and having much larger forces copying the operations carried out in Dorset speaks volumes for the success of the ‘no excuse’ campaign,” said Chief Inspector Nichols.

Around 100 fixed penalty notices were issued for motoring offences across Dorset during last week’s one day operation.

One of the target offences has been using mobile phones while driving.

Officer issued tickets for mobile phone offences on Dorset ’s roads have increased by 15 per cent between January 18th and December 14th 2010 compared with the same period in 2011.

Brian Austin, “no excuse” Project Manager, said: “This operation shows just how seriously we take the offence of driving while using a mobile phone.

“Operating a mobile phone while driving is extremely dangerous and incredibly reckless, and it risks the lives of innocent road users.

“It is worrying and disappointing to see the number of drivers caught risking lives by operating a mobile phone while driving increased last year.

“I would encourage members of the public to provide us with details of people they have seen using their phones while driving.