Mechanic avoids driving ban after mobile phone offence

Portadown man cites 'exceptional hardship' as primary carer for his mother, retaining licence despite accruing penalty points

Mechanic avoids driving ban after mobile phone offence
IAM RoadSmart says control of hands-free mobile phone ‘long overdue’ – but enforcement will be near impossible without new tech and more police.

A Co Armagh mechanic, John Matchett (37), from Dobbin Road, Portadown, avoided a driving ban at Craigavon Magistrates Court after being caught using a mobile phone while driving a lorry. Matchett successfully argued “exceptional hardship,” stating he is the sole carer for his mother, who has mobility issues.

On March 11 this year, police observed Matchett driving a Mercedes flatbed lorry at the Ballylisk roundabout in Portadown, holding his mobile phone in his right hand and “tapping on the screen with his thumb.” When stopped, he neither confirmed nor denied using the phone but disclosed he already had eight penalty points from a previous motoring offence.

Matchett’s solicitor, Mr John McCamley, stated his client accepted using the phone, noting he had earbuds in and was tapping the screen rather than holding it to his face. However, Mr McCamley acknowledged it was “still a distraction and still a danger to society.” He highlighted that the minimum four penalty points for the offence would result in an automatic six-month driving ban, given Matchett’s existing points.

Presenting documents, Mr McCamley explained that Matchett lives alone with his mother and is her primary carer, transporting her to up to three medical appointments each week. He also stressed that Matchett is a mechanic and the main “bread-winner,” and losing his licence would mean losing his job.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan considered the impact a ban would have on Matchett’s mother. He imposed six penalty points and a £400 fine, plus a £15 Offender Levy, but made an order that the “totting up” process would not apply, allowing Matchett to retain his driving licence.

Source: Northern Ireland World

1 Comment

  1. who allows the manufacturers to install all the unnecessary touch screen complicated gadgets fitted in modern vehicles, with constant pop up messages distracting drivers even the simplest of tasks eg turning the heater up and down, switching radio stations needing drivers to take their eyes of the road ahead, warnings popping up at 1 km over the set speed causing driver to look up at the tachograph reading overspeeding resulting in driver looking down at the speedometer when all the while they need to look at the road ahead, My thoughts are using a phone whilst driving is no more distracting than all the unnecessary vehicle controls. We need to use a vehicle for A to B and not as an entertainment platform. Its ironic that we now have cameras monitoring driver awarness to make sure we are not playing with the gadgets they install.

    Reply

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