A driver in Guildford has been penalised after being caught using her mobile phone to pay for a parking ticket while her vehicle was stationary in traffic. The incident was captured on footage shared by Surrey Roadsafe on Tuesday, 26 May.
How the Incident Unfolded
The motorist was observed by officers from the Vanguard Road Safety Team, a specialised unit within Surrey Police, who were in an unmarked vehicle. As they pulled up alongside her, the driver appeared visibly surprised and sighed in disbelief upon noticing the police presence.
Penalties Issued
She was issued a Traffic Offence Report, which resulted in a £200 fine and six penalty points being added to her driving licence. The use of mobile phones while driving, even for payment purposes, is prohibited under UK law when the engine is running and the vehicle is not safely parked.
The case serves as a reminder that drivers must pull over and switch off their engines before using a phone, even for seemingly innocuous tasks like paying for parking. The Vanguard Road Safety Team continues to patrol Surrey's roads to enforce mobile phone laws and improve road safety.
