A DRIVER who was using an iPad while driving is among nearly 50 others pulled over in Solihull for committing traffic offences in a single day.
As part of National Road Safety Week, officers from Solihull Council, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police patrolled Streetsbrook Road looking for motorists approaching Solihull Fire Station using their mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts.
Those found to be committing offences were safely pulled over and offered the opportunity to engage with West Midlands Fire Service’s Road Casualty Reduction Team or given a fixed penalty notice.
In total 49 vehicles were stopped and checked for up to date insurance, a valid driving licence, road worthiness of the vehicle and to enforce any offences, while taxis went through compliance checks.
Officers stopped 19 drivers who were were found to be using a mobile phone whilst driving, including one using an iPad and 15 drivers or passengers were found not to be wearing a seatbelt.
Taxis were also stopped and checked for compliance, with officer finding one with a tyre with tread below the legal limit of 1.6mm and another found to be not wearing his seat belt.
Two taxi drivers were handed suspensions for illegal tyre and defective lights, while three others received cautions for badge offences.
Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “It is astonishing that so many motorists were pulled over in such a short period of time.
“Hopefully this will send a clear message out to drivers in the borough and remind them that this behaviour is unacceptable.
“Offenders who engaged with the various teams and used the VR headsets were really taken aback by thinking about the possible consequences of their actions which is a positive sign.”
The team used the latest 360 degrees virtual reality (VR) headsets to show drivers the effects of being involved in a serious road traffic accident related to the offences they had committed.
