TROUBLE DECKER
CRAFTY cops are using the top of double-decker buses to catch drivers on their mobile phones.
The plans are being rolled out in the West Midlands with offending motorists facing a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
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Operation Top Deck was launched by the force’s Road Harm Reduction Team and will see plain-clothed officers equipped with video cameras peering down at drivers.
If they catch someone out, the information is radioed to police bikers who divert offenders to a designated site.
They will then be shown a video of the "consequences" of their actions - including harrowing clips of people being injured by drivers on the phone, BBC reports.
Their details are also taken in case they re-offend - in which case a letter will be sent to their homes.
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After the operation was launched on September 17, 45 motorists using phones behind the wheel were caught in just a few hours.
Among these was a woman prosecuted for driving without due care and attention after officers found her eating from a bowl of cereal.
Footage taken from the top deck of a bus also shows a cop catching out a driver texting at the wheel of their Range Rover.
Using your phone while driving - the law
It has been illegal to touch a mobile phone - even with a hands free set - while driving since 2003.
This includes using a mobile to follow a map, read a text or check social media.
The law applies even if you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic as your engine is still running.
You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.
You can use hands-free phones – as long as you don't press any buttons – sat navs and two-way radios when you’re driving or riding.
But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised. The law also applies to those riding a motorcycle.
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Another driver, Michael Neel, was filmed speaking to officers after he was seen checking his emails.
He said he was surprised to be pulled over but said it would act as a future deterrent.
PC Mark Hodson, speaking from the top of a double decker, said: "Most of the offending is done in their lap, so unless we have a vantage point we can't actually see if they're committing the offence or not because we actually have to see the phone.
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Penalty fines for using a mobile phone at the wheel
The fixed penalty used to be £30 but in 2007 it was raised to £60.
This was raised again in 2013 to £100 and new legislation has now seen it double to £200.
Your case could also go to court and you could be disqualified from driving or riding and get a maximum fine of £1,000.
Drivers of buses or goods vehicles could get a maximum fine of £2,500.
Previously, drivers caught on their phones received three penalty points.
But new government legislation has seen the amount doubled to six points.
"And so, this gives us the ideal position to that from and not only that but we can train up all our neighbourhood policing PCSOs and PCs to do exactly the same when they go on normal bus journeys in their own communities."
He explained the buses are "borrowed" from National Express and look like normal transport vehicles.
It comes after police in South Wales revealed they were planning to catch out drivers from the cab of an unmarked lorry.
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