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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| CCTV cars snap distracted drivers | CCTV cars snap distracted drivers |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| New CCTV cars to catch drivers using their mobile phones or being otherwise distracted at the wheel are being piloted by Greater Manchester Police. | New CCTV cars to catch drivers using their mobile phones or being otherwise distracted at the wheel are being piloted by Greater Manchester Police. |
| The small Smart cars, which have a 12ft (3.6m) mast with a camera attached, are parked at junctions to monitor traffic. | The small Smart cars, which have a 12ft (3.6m) mast with a camera attached, are parked at junctions to monitor traffic. |
| Mike Downes of the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership said the scheme was successfully "driving the number of accidents down". | Mike Downes of the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership said the scheme was successfully "driving the number of accidents down". |
| But the AA's Paul Watters said drivers "might regard it as Big Brother". | But the AA's Paul Watters said drivers "might regard it as Big Brother". |
| Proportionate and fair | Proportionate and fair |
| Two cars are currently being piloted in Greater Manchester, the first of their kind in the UK. | Two cars are currently being piloted in Greater Manchester, the first of their kind in the UK. |
| Anyone seen driving while distracted - eating at the wheel, playing with the radio or applying make-up for instance - is filmed by the cameras. | Anyone seen driving while distracted - eating at the wheel, playing with the radio or applying make-up for instance - is filmed by the cameras. |
| CCTV enforcement lacks connection with the driver until after the event Paul WatterAA | CCTV enforcement lacks connection with the driver until after the event Paul WatterAA |
| Later, a letter is sent to the owner of the car, in many cases along with a fine. | Later, a letter is sent to the owner of the car, in many cases along with a fine. |
| Anyone caught using their mobile will be asked to pay £60 and have three points added to their licence. Fines could also be handed out to anyone who is thought to be driving without due care and attention, or similar offences. | Anyone caught using their mobile will be asked to pay £60 and have three points added to their licence. Fines could also be handed out to anyone who is thought to be driving without due care and attention, or similar offences. |
| According to the Partnership - also known as Drivesafe - there have been 406 collisions in Greater Manchester in the past two years which can be attributed to distracted drivers. | According to the Partnership - also known as Drivesafe - there have been 406 collisions in Greater Manchester in the past two years which can be attributed to distracted drivers. |
| Of those, 51 were said to involve the use of a mobile phone as a significant factor. | Of those, 51 were said to involve the use of a mobile phone as a significant factor. |
| Mr Downes said the cars would only trace people who are committing an offence. | Mr Downes said the cars would only trace people who are committing an offence. |
| "The camera is only trained on the vehicle to secure the evidence," he said. | "The camera is only trained on the vehicle to secure the evidence," he said. |
| "I would say the actions we are taking are reasonable, proportionate and fair in light of the fact that we are trying to save lives." | "I would say the actions we are taking are reasonable, proportionate and fair in light of the fact that we are trying to save lives." |
| 'Lacks connection' | 'Lacks connection' |
| The scheme is only a few weeks into the pilot, so figures on the numbers of people who have been caught using this technology are unavailable. | The scheme is only a few weeks into the pilot, so figures on the numbers of people who have been caught using this technology are unavailable. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYIt might be a deterrent to the unbelievable bad driving in this country Alex, Edinburgh Send us your comments | |
| But the CCTV cars have already attracted criticism from people who argue they are an infringement of people's privacy. | But the CCTV cars have already attracted criticism from people who argue they are an infringement of people's privacy. |
| Paul Watters from the Automobile Association (AA), said he had reservations about the cars, and would watch the pilot scheme with interest. | Paul Watters from the Automobile Association (AA), said he had reservations about the cars, and would watch the pilot scheme with interest. |
| "CCTV enforcement lacks connection with the driver until after the event and some drivers might regards it as Big Brother. | "CCTV enforcement lacks connection with the driver until after the event and some drivers might regards it as Big Brother. |
| "We think that most drivers would prefer police in cars to dish out tickets on the spot and instil better driving behaviour," he said. | "We think that most drivers would prefer police in cars to dish out tickets on the spot and instil better driving behaviour," he said. |
| If the scheme is seen to be a success in reducing the number of accidents, those behind it hope it could be rolled out across the UK. | If the scheme is seen to be a success in reducing the number of accidents, those behind it hope it could be rolled out across the UK. |
| Some councils already use Smart cars with cameras to track parking and bus lane offences. | Some councils already use Smart cars with cameras to track parking and bus lane offences. |