Larne driver caught using mobile said ‘he wasn’t making a call, only checking a text message’

Police Mid & East Antrim stopped a driver on Monday morning (16 November) after he was seen using a mobile device. He received a fine and 3 penalty points after he explained that he wasn‘t making a call, but only checking a text.

A Police Officer said: “On patrol in Larne this morning I saw a driver looking at a mobile phone in his hand, while driving past us.

“When I stopped him he said he wasn’t making a call, only checking a text message he had just received.

“Unfortunately this driver is now in possession of an endorsable fixed penalty notice, meaning 3 points on his license and a fine.”

Police reminds drivers that you can only use your mobile phone in a vehicle:

• to call 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency where it is unsafe or impracticable to stop

• if you are safely parked

• if you are a passenger

“This week is Road Safety Week so you can expect to see us out and about.”