A driver in Greater Manchester left traffic officers utterly bewildered after offering what might be one of the most creative excuses ever heard for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
The Unusual Traffic Stop
Greater Manchester Police's traffic unit recently pulled over a motorist who was spotted using his mobile phone while driving. What happened next surpassed typical traffic violation encounters.
When questioned about the offence, the driver didn't offer the usual apologies or denials. Instead, he presented an explanation that left experienced officers questioning whether they'd heard correctly.
'Just Checking My Clubcard Points'
The motorist boldly claimed he wasn't texting, calling, or browsing social media. According to his statement, he was merely checking his Tesco Clubcard points balance while operating the vehicle.
This unusual defence prompted Greater Manchester Police to share the incident on social media, where they wrote: "When asked why he was using his mobile phone whilst driving, the driver replied 'I was checking my Tesco Clubcard'."
Public Reaction and Road Safety Reminder
The police post quickly went viral, attracting numerous comments from amused social media users. Many questioned the driver's logic, while others praised the officers for maintaining professionalism during what must have been a challenging interaction.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder that any use of a handheld mobile device while driving constitutes an offence, regardless of the purpose. The law makes no distinction between checking loyalty points and making phone calls - both activities dangerously divert attention from the road.
Police emphasised that there are no acceptable excuses for mobile phone use while driving, noting that such behaviour significantly increases accident risk and endangers all road users.
