Four face prosecution
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• Four lorry drivers are being prosecuted by West Midlands police for allegedly using in-cab phones while driving.
The drivers were said to have been spotted by police motorway patrols three months ago and if found guilty could face maximum fines of £1,000 each.
West Midlands police stresses that truck drivers are not being targetted in its mobile phone clamp down.
But almost all of the drivers who have so far been prose cuted were driving HGVs. Only two car drivers currently face court appearances.
Chief inspector John Haywood, who heads the West Midlands police traffic division, says mobile phones are vital for lorry drivers, but using them at the wrong time could be lethal.
"Most truck drivers are very capable and very professional. However, there are others who are not as proficient and are using mobile phones while driving along the motorway at 60mph, fully laden. A moment's inattention could be disastrous," he says.
General secretary of the United Road Transport Union Frank Griffin welcomes the police campaign but stresses that lorry drivers must not be seen as easy targets.
"Why pick on a lorry driver when the biggest culprit is the guy speeding in the XR3l, late for his appointments and trying to book up a sauna.
Is he not a greater danger?" says Griffin.