NEVER, NEVILLE! !
Star caught with mobile as he drives
FORMER England star Gary Neville is filmed holding his mobile phone while driving.
RAC chiefs criticised his actions. One said: “This is disappointing.” It comes after penalties were doubled for using mobiles at the wheel.
ROAD safety campaigners last night blasted Gary Neville for putting lives at risk by holding a mobile phone as he drove along a motorway.
The former Manchester United and England star was caught on camera just days after the fine and number of points for texting or calling at the wheel was doubled.
RAC chiefs have seen the footage. Its road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “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.”
Sky Sports football pundit Neville, 42, was pictured on the M60 in Worsley, Greater Manchester, 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 what he is doing, he is still a potential danger as he appears to have only 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 holding 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 using his phone at the wheel of his BMW in Manchester.
We launched a campaign last year to stop drivers using mobiles on the road.
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 are stationary at lights or in a traffic jam.
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. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “I am grateful to the Mirror for raising awareness of this dangerous habit.”