The BBC is reporting that Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East has been banned from driving for six months and fined £1,250 plus costs for using her mobile phone whilst driving and driving without insurance. Qureshi already had nine points on her licence.
Qureshi, according to the report, said being uninsured was a mistake and she thought the policy had been renewed.
Given how many of us do use our mobile phones whilst behind the wheel, at least from time to time, this case should perhaps be more of the “there but for the grace of God…” variety than an opportunity to finger-point, not to mention a reminder that MPs as a group are probably not much better or worse than the rest of us.
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10 Comments
Surely driving without insurance is a more serious offence then using the mobile while driving, and would account for the bulk of the sentence?
Both are dangerous and stupid. Not much difference between them really.
“this case should perhaps be more of the “there but for the grace of God…” variety than an opportunity to finger-point”
On the contrary. I believe this is an ideal opportunity to finger point. It’s disgraceful that she thought she could get away with this. I’m aware that MPs are busy people, but it doesn’t mean they can avoid things that everyone else can do easily.
It’s true that MPs are humans too – I’m not going to disagree on that point. However, it’s important to remember that they are our representatives and should be held to a high standard.
Those of us who do not believe in God or its grace – will of course note that this far from being her first driving offence. I’m afraid I have little sympathy regardless of her politics, Coalition MPs do not have a monopoly on stupidity. It is not too hard to turn the phone off or get a hands free set and to arrange insurance, particularly when you have office staff.
>Given how many of us do use our mobile phones whilst behind the wheel, at least from time to time
Speak for yourself! Having nearly been sideswiped in a shopping centre car park a couple of years ago by a woman yakking into a mobile (in a car park for heaven’s sake), who didn’t even notice the near accident and drove on, still rabbiting away, I say a plague on anyone who thinks their conversation is so important it can’t keep for five minutes.
>Given how many of us do use our mobile phones whilst behind the wheel, at least from time to time
Why is your yak-yak worth killing someone because you’re not concentrating? I report any driver of a commercial vehicle with its number on the side to their head office and only wish there was a way of reporting people like you.
that is to say, any driver who I see using a handheld mobile, as intelligent readers will have deduced.
David Morris said “On the contrary. I believe this is an ideal opportunity to finger point. It’s disgraceful that she thought she could get away with this. I’m aware that MPs are busy people, but it doesn’t mean they can avoid things that everyone else can do easily.”
But the report makes clear that she did not try to get special treatment and accepted the inevitable ban.
Not only does she put her own life at risk, she puts other people at risk as well.
Punishment well deserved.
All credit to her fo putting her hand up, accepting the ban and no whinging whatsoever unlike some of those making comments! .