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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kris Gourlay

Edinburgh woman drove across Queensferry Crossing while 'eating a bowl of cereal'

Police in Edinburgh have fined a woman that was spotted driving over the Queensferry crossing, while eating a bowl of cereal.

Traffic cops spotted the 23-year-old woman whilst conducting their Operation Tramline initiative, which they say has been massively effective since it kicked off at the end of April.

In this scenario, one woman put her own life, and the lives of others, at risk whilst attempting to eat her breakfast behind the wheel across the bridge that links Fife to Edinburgh.

READ MORE: Terrified Edinburgh residents rocked by loud explosion and fire in quiet street

In a Facebook post, officers said the woman was fined £100 and given three points on her license.

They also stopped a man that was driving a HGV whilst both hands were grasping his mobile, using his forearms to steer the vehicle. He received a £200 fine and six penalty points.

The post read: "Our road policing initiative - Operation Tramline - is having considerable success in the Edinburgh area with drivers being fined for various offences since it began on Tuesday, 26 April.

"A 23-year-old woman seen driving in lane two of the M90 Queensferry Crossing eating cereal from a bowl as she drove southbound. She was fined £100 and had three points added to her licence.

"On the Edinburgh City bypass a HGV driver was found to be using both hands on his mobile and steering with his forearms, clearly not in control of his vehicle. He received a £200 fine and 6 penalty points."

The initiative is designed to catch those putting others in harms way whilst driving on the roads, and it seems to be working so far.

Road policing officer Tom Aitken said: “Reducing the number of road casualties is a priority for Police Scotland and we are always looking at ways to enhance our ability to investigate road traffic offences.

“As well as working closely with partners to help make roads safer for all road users, we regularly use footage from dash-cams, head-cams and CCTV to investigate road traffic offences.

“Most people know the effect alcohol and drugs can have on driving, but the small things can be overlooked. It is just not smart eating as you are driving, it is downright dangerous.

“The same goes for using any mobile device and reading. Acting like this means you are distracted and therefore not in proper control of your vehicle. A split second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

“Not wearing a seatbelt is life-threatening. If you are not fully secure then the consequences if you are involved in a crash could be deadly. Road policing officers unfortunately see the devastation this causes and we urge drivers to be responsible and make sure they are safe. Think of the effects a crash could have on your loved ones.

“The HGV enables officers to have a good view of drivers and what they are doing. It is another tool we are using to make Scotland’s roads safer.”

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