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Lights, camera, action... Heather at the wheel
Last updated at 09:22am on 09.03.07It's quite a feat, driving a powerful 4x4 and filming with a camcorder at the same time.
But Heather Mills appeared to manage it as she left Brighton railway station.
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Pan right: Heather directs her camera, if not her car, in Brighton
Read more... • Driver fined for eating his sandwich
The estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney then added insult to injury by jumping a red light about a quarter of a mile from the station.
Her accomplishment was enough to attract heavy criticism from road safety experts last night.
Miss Mills, 39, who is involved in a bitter divorce battle with Sir Paul, was at the station in Mercedes ML to pick up former bodyguard Mark Payne before she returned to a flat in neighbouring Hove.
It's both hands on the wheel Heather, not the camcorder!
An onlooker said: "She pulled out of the station holding the camera and looking out of the window. Then she sped off and ran a red light a bit further down the road. There was no way she was paying full attention to the road. It's lucky she didn't have an accident."
Andrew Howard, the AA's head of road safety, said anyone driving while holding a video camera could be charged with careless driving and not being in control of their vehicle.
Rule 127 of the Highway Code states: "You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times."
Mr Howard said: "The 'must' in this rule is a legal requirement, so anyone being distracted while driving can be prosecuted.
"This is how people were prosecuted for using mobile phones while driving before the new laws were brought in."
Robin Cummins, RAC's road safety consultant, said: "Driving while distracted, be it due to a use of a mobile phone, eating, smoking or using any other audio or visual equipment is extremely dangerous."
More here...
• Heather demands £10,000 a day from Sir Paul 'to get by'
Reader views (12)
It looks like this woman can use a camcorder and jump a red light and not be ticketed. She should be treated like any other law-breaking person. She is just making fools of everyone who is watching her break the law and drive away.
- Carol, NY,USA, 10/03/2007 15:12
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Just what is she trying to prove? She just needs to quit her odd behaviour. If she didn't want any type of press, she should of never married a Beatle. This just shows how crazy she is.
- Stephanie Horan, Ligonier,In.USA, 09/03/2007 13:06
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What is going on here? a guy lost points and was fined for eating a sandwich but this woman can use a camcorder and jump a red light. Is it one rule for the hard working and another for gold diggers?
- Sarah, London, 09/03/2007 12:31
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She should also be prosecuted for that weird pout she is doing!
- Karen, Paddington, 09/03/2007 11:06
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She should definately be prosecuted, this is photographic evidence that she was driving with undue care and attention.
- Carol, Hammersmith, London, 09/03/2007 10:56
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The audacity of this woman astounds me.
- Isabel, Woking, England, 09/03/2007 10:55
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Agree with everyone so far. If you can get three points for eating a sandwich, or holding a mobile whilst driving, surely this woman should receive the same treatment.
But, no, silly me! I forgot... the law doesn't work in the same way for 'celebrities'!
- Scott, London, 09/03/2007 10:33
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Lucky it was only a camcorder, not a cheese and pickle sandwich.
- Paul, London, 09/03/2007 09:37
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Surely this is illegal as per the new legislation regarding driving whilst using a mobile phone which would also apply to using a camcorder? These photographs should be forwarded to the police.
- Lloyd, London, 09/03/2007 09:30
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Using a mobile carries three penalty points. With this evidence it would be unjust if she were not prosecuted.
- Michael, London, 09/03/2007 09:23
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I would of thought that having gone through an RTA herself she would have had more respect for those around her.
- Fly, London, 09/03/2007 08:24
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The woman gets crazier every day!
- Susan, London, 09/03/2007 06:29
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