Coach driver to be prosecuted thanks to Citizen Cop
Essex Police have been praised for taking action against a Harlow bus firm whose driver was filmed breaking the law by not giving proper care and attention to the road.
A Notice of Intended Prosecution has been issued to bus and coach firm Roadrunner Coaches as a result of “Citizen Cop” 36 year old cyclist Dave Sherry who inadvertently filmed the driver using what appeared to be a mobile phone, whilst the bus was in motion.
The footage can be seen here: http://youtu.be/Jm4uhcaKfWI
Mr. Sherry, himself a bus driver, videoed the offence on a helmet mounted camera and was "appalled" by what he saw and said the bus was "obviously in service". The surprising footage was shared with PoliceWitness (a technology company that helps empower the public in relation to incidents like this) who have since been liaising with Essex Police on behalf of Mr Sherry.
According to the BBC, Roadrunner Coaches have taken no action against the driver, saying it believed the driver was not using a phone but checking a module for a ticket machine. The firm said its policies followed the law and drivers were not allowed to use mobile telephones.
Matt Stockdale, Chairman of PoliceWitness, says: “This did not happen on an empty bus, but one with passengers and clearly in service, putting the lives of the passengers and other road users at risk. The driver should be held accountable, as this could have ended very differently indeed.”
Mr. Stockdale praised Essex Police for starting proceedings against the company, saying: “Handheld ticket device or mobile phone, the driver does not have proper control of his vehicle, which is an offence. Previously the police have successfully prosecuted a driver who they deemed was not in proper control of their vehicle, who was merely eating a chocolate bar. In fact we all risk this potential charge when we drink a coffee, consume a sandwich, or open a can of pop, the latter meaning both hands are no longer on the wheel.
“The fact that the company admitted fault, albeit indirectly, will hopefully prevent this kind of activity in future.”
Mr. Sherry is one of thousands of cyclists and motorists who now have a recording device in-car or on their bicycle helmet or in their cars and are reporting incidents of careless and dangerous driving to PoliceWitness.com.
For further information, log on to www.policewitness.com.
ENDS
Contact
Matt Stockdale, Chairman of PoliceWitness.com is available for comment / interview. Please call 01908 44 00 77 or email: stockdalem@policewitness.com
About PoliceWitness
PoliceWitness.com is a technology company that helps empower motorists to record incidents of dangerous / reckless driving on the road and involving their vehicle. Footage can be uploaded to the PoliceWitness website who will then forward it on to the relevant Police authority or your insurer, depending on the incident.
PoliceWitness.com has extensive knowledge of both frontline and strategic policing, and the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service. Through its contacts with the police, PoliceWitness.com facilitates the consideration of ‘prosecution quality’ video evidence supplied directly from the public, reporting road related incidents in a format the police and CPS recognise and can act upon. Reports are submitted directly to a specifically assigned officer, thus by-passing the control centre who are then free to process more urgent requests for assistance.
This proactive approach to true ‘public’ policing offers a standardised, commercial methodology across all forces, saving our police forces huge amounts of resource and planning. Whilst providing this service, PoliceWitness.com is able to identify countrywide public perceptions, and more importantly expectations, with regard to road related offences and the service provided by the authorities.
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