Neville pictured holding phone at wheel
SAFETY CAMPAIGNERS BLAST UNITED LEGEND
ROAD safety campaigners last night blasted Gary Neville for ‘putting lives at risk’ by holding a mobile phone as he drives along a motorway.
The former United and England star was caught on camera just days after the fine and number of points for texting or calling at the wheel doubled.
Neville was caught holding the phone whilst driving. If he was in fact operating his phone then he is in breach of motoring regulations which ban the use of phones while driving.
RAC chiefs have seen the footage. Its road safety spokesman Pete Williams told the M.E.N’s sister title, The Mirror: “This is an own goal from Gary Neville which is made all the more disappointing as he is someone who is seen as both a role model and a national hero.
“The fact it comes within a few days of the penalties for the offence doubling makes it even worse. This must serve as a wake-up call for every individual not to use their handheld mobile at the wheel.
“No call, tweet, post or photo on a handheld phone is worth it. We urge Gary to promise never to do it again.”
Sky Sports football pundit Neville, 42, was pictured on the M60 in Worsley, Salford, by a passenger in another car. His luxury motor appears to be a Bentley Bentayga, which are worth at least £135,000 and come with Bluetooth mobile phone capability. While it is not clear if he is texting or calling or using his phone he is still a potential danger as he only appears to have one hand fully on the wheel.
The snapper, a 33-year-old installation engineer from Rochdale, who asked not to be named, said: “We spotted the jeep. It’s an unusual car and you don’t see many about. As we went to overtake we realised it was Gary Neville. My mate who was driving said, ‘Get a photo.’ So I did and Neville gave me a dirty look, a real dirty look. I didn’t know why, then when I saw the video I realised why – he was on his mobile. Neither of us are Manchester United fans, but that had nothing to do with it.”
The Mirror approached Neville’s representatives who contacted him and said he would not comment.
Last November, the former defender – who owns a hotel – was pictured holding his phone at the wheel of his BMW in Manchester.
At the beginning of this month a change in the law doubled the points given to those caught from three to six and the fine from £100 to £200. It is illegal to use a handheld mobile when driving, even if you’re stopped at lights or in a traffic jam. However, the exact definition of use of a phone is not clear cut. Use of a phone requires some form of interaction with the device, such as dialling a number or speaking to or texting someone. It can be disputed that just holding a phone should be considered enough to say that you are using it. The Highway Code also says motorists should avoid any distraction while driving, such as eating and drinking. In 2015, 22 people were killed and 99 seriously injured in accidents involving drivers on phones.