Mizzou
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Deaf driver slams police Dec 7 2003
Laura Kemp, Wales on Sunday
A DEAF driver was stopped by police for adjusting her hearing aid - because they thought she was on her mobile phone.
The 31-year-old was on her way through the Swansea Valley when she was pulled over and wrongly accused of using a mobile phone.
The overzealous cops were caught out as they enforced a new law which was introduced on Monday against motorists using hand held mobiles while driving.
The new legislation inflicts a fixed-penalty fine of £30 on drivers. But they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
However, police in England and Wales have indicated that motorists are to get two months "grace" before the fines will be enforced.
The woman, who was not publicly identified last night, works at a flag-making company on the Enterprise Park. She has been profoundly deaf since birth.
Her boss Robin Ashburner said: "As she drove through Pontardawe on Wednesday night she was adjusting her hearing aid when she was stopped by police.
"Despite being clearly deaf, and despite having the hearing aid to back up her story, they didn't believe her until her mobile phone was found inside a handbag in the boot of her car. It was then agreed she could not have used it.
"The moral of this story is that unless you can prove your phone is out of reach do not even pick your nose or you will have a case to answer."
The woman told her boss and colleagues she felt very upset by the experience. She said she had not been given any advice on not adjusting her hearing aid in the car and only ever used her mobile phone for texting.
Royal National Institute for the Deaf legal officer Simon Robinson said: "This is an unfortunate incident for the deaf woman involved.
"RNID believes this highlights the need for the police force to have appropriate deaf awareness training."
here is link:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100...line=-Deaf-driver-slams-police-name_page.html
Laura Kemp, Wales on Sunday
A DEAF driver was stopped by police for adjusting her hearing aid - because they thought she was on her mobile phone.
The 31-year-old was on her way through the Swansea Valley when she was pulled over and wrongly accused of using a mobile phone.
The overzealous cops were caught out as they enforced a new law which was introduced on Monday against motorists using hand held mobiles while driving.
The new legislation inflicts a fixed-penalty fine of £30 on drivers. But they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
However, police in England and Wales have indicated that motorists are to get two months "grace" before the fines will be enforced.
The woman, who was not publicly identified last night, works at a flag-making company on the Enterprise Park. She has been profoundly deaf since birth.
Her boss Robin Ashburner said: "As she drove through Pontardawe on Wednesday night she was adjusting her hearing aid when she was stopped by police.
"Despite being clearly deaf, and despite having the hearing aid to back up her story, they didn't believe her until her mobile phone was found inside a handbag in the boot of her car. It was then agreed she could not have used it.
"The moral of this story is that unless you can prove your phone is out of reach do not even pick your nose or you will have a case to answer."
The woman told her boss and colleagues she felt very upset by the experience. She said she had not been given any advice on not adjusting her hearing aid in the car and only ever used her mobile phone for texting.
Royal National Institute for the Deaf legal officer Simon Robinson said: "This is an unfortunate incident for the deaf woman involved.
"RNID believes this highlights the need for the police force to have appropriate deaf awareness training."
here is link:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100...line=-Deaf-driver-slams-police-name_page.html
