Durham Police driver who used mobile phone on A19 is fined
An image shared on social media this week showed a man, a civilian police staff member, in the marked van with the phone to his ear. The photo was taken at about 1.30pm on Tuesday (July 1) near the Peterlee junction of the A19 in County Durham. According to other motorists, the van was travelling slowly on the inside lane with its indicator on.
"The driver has since been identified as a civilian member of police staff, and an investigation into the circumstances has been carried out by our Professionals Standards department. "As would be the case for any other road user, the driver has been issued with a ?200 fixed penalty notice and will have their driving license endorsed with six points. "Additionally, a misconduct investigation remains underway.
"We work hard to encourage safe use of our road network, and it is particularly disappointing to see a member of our force break such a fundamental rule of road safety.
"Representatives of Durham Constabulary should rightly be held to a high standard of professional conduct, and where offences are identified, appropriate action will be taken."
It also comes as police forces, including Durham, take part in the national campaign 'Operation Spotlight' to target the four main causes of fatal and serious collisions, including mobile phone use at the wheel.[1]