Police van driver drinks at wheel

10:30am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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THE search is on for this man – caught on camera driving a police van while holding a cup of coffee.

North Yorkshire Police is studying mobile phone camera footage supplied by The Press which shows a man in control of one of the force’s fleet having a drink while in command of the van he was driving at the time.

The unnamed man was caught on camera by a reader of The Press who spotted him at the junction of Peasholme Green, Jewbury and Foss Islands Road, near the area’s Sainsbury’s store.

Sipping his coffee, he has taken at least one of his hands away from the controls of his vehicle in a casual move which road safety campaigners say can be “dangerous”.

The reader who supplied us with the footage claimed it was taken on Saturday, May 17 – but the force has claimed the vehicle in question, which it says can be recognised due to a piece of plastic hanging from its front windscreen, was under 24-hour guard at a garage at the time.

Having been provided with these pictures, we passed them to police, who are now investigating the incident and looking to see whether an officer was behind the wheel at the time.

“I actually thought it was disgusting,” said the reader who took the picture.

“He was in a marked police vehicle, parked at a red light, and yet he was having a cup of coffee at the wheel and driving with one hand.

“I’m sure that, if the boot had been the other foot, I would have been in trouble.

“I believe it’s irresponsible behaviour, because I don’t believe the fact that you’re driving a police vehicle means you’re beyond reproach – you have to adhere to the law.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “We thank The Press for bringing this matter to our attention.

“Having carried out enquiries, we can confirm the police vehicle in question was in the hands of a third party supplier at the time this photograph was claimed to have been taken.

“We are satisfied that it had not been in use at all on Saturday, May 17. However, despite the confusion about the date, it is apparent that somebody was at the wheel of the police vehicle while holding a drink.

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify the driver and determine if any offences have been committed.”

Under Rule 123 – covered by its ‘Control of the vehicle’ section – the Highway Code states: “You must not…leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road”.

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: “Any actions which may distract a driver or cause them to lose control of their vehicle, such as eating or drinking, can be dangerous.

“It is clearly not safe to drive while holding a hot drink as any spillages may scald the driver. Brake therefore encourages all drivers to take regular breaks on long journeys in order to have a snack and a drink.”