Shocking dashcam footage has exposed the moment a professional lorry driver brazenly browsed explicit adult content on his phone while navigating a 40-tonne vehicle along a busy British motorway.
The incident, which occurred on the M62, shows the HGV operator with a mobile phone mounted on his dashboard, clearly displaying pornographic material as he drove. The footage was captured by another motorist who was so alarmed by the reckless behaviour that they reported it to the police.
Christopher Parkinson, 57, of Bury, Greater Manchester, admitted to a charge of dangerous driving at Leeds Magistrates' Court. The court heard how the driver was "visually distracted" for a significant period, with the phone positioned just below his line of sight towards the road.
In a statement read to the court, the witness described the moment of disbelief: "I could not believe what I was seeing. He was driving a large goods vehicle and not looking at the road. I was shocked."
Parkinson, who was representing himself, offered a startlingly casual explanation for his actions, telling the court: "I was just having a look. It was just a few seconds, that's all."
Despite his attempts to downplay the incident, the consequences were severe. Parkinson was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must take an extended retest before he can get behind the wheel again. He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £199 in costs and victim surcharge.
The case has raised serious concerns about road safety and the use of mobile devices by professional drivers. With the capability to cause catastrophic damage, HGV operators bear a heightened responsibility to maintain focus on the road at all times.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that no distraction behind the wheel is acceptable, regardless of its nature or duration.
