Clarkson Caught on Camera
Discussion
For years he has railed against the nanny-state but now it looks as though Jeremy Clarkson has been caught flouting the draconian motoring laws he so detests - and could face prosecution.
Police are examining a photograph apparently showing the Top Gear presenter talking on his mobile phone while driving at 70mph on the motorway in his gas-guzzling 6.3 litre Mercedes.
The 47-year-old is now facing a police investigation and could get three points on his driving licence as well as a £60 fine.
Police are set to analyse the photograph - snapped on a mobile phone - to decide whether he ought to be charged with dangerous driving.
Scroll down for more...
Clarkson is snapped allegedly talking on the phone as he drives his green Mercedes
Thames Valley Police said the photograph would be examined along with any other evidence.
"We are taking this matter very seriously and will be collecting all the available evidence to see whether there is a case to answer," a spokesman said.
The photograph would "now be examined by road safety officers as part of the investigation", he added.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-2345...
A police insider warned today that no exceptions could be made for celebrities.
He said: "At a time when the Government and police are clamping down on motorists putting safety at risk by using mobiles at the wheel, it's vital that police are seen to be taking action against all alleged offenders, no matter who they are."
Clarkson was photographed as he overtook Adam Blake, 22, near the turn-off to the Silverstone racing circuit on Friday morning last week.
"My girlfriend said "Oh, that's Jeremy Clarkson" and then noticed he was on his mobile," Mr Blake said.
"She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
"Afterwards we moved into the fast lane and overtook him and we gave him a beep. It was clearly him."
Mr Blake, a recruitment consultant from Ascot, Berkshire, added: "I used to watch him every week on Top Gear and he was always banging on about the new driving laws.
When confronted about his misdemeanour Clarkson denied that he had been using a phone while driving(file picture)
"Everyone knows you can't use a phone behind the wheel. Perhaps he thinks he's above the law."
The death toll caused by motorists using hand-held mobiles more than doubled from 13 in 2005 to 28 in 2006, despite a ban being introduced in December 2003.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents yesterday condemned the practice as "illegal and dangerous".
A spokesman added: "It is disappointing to see someone well-known and looked up to in relation to driving doing that."
Clarkson was given the left-hand drive Mercedes as a Christmas present last year and, in typically brash style, has revealed he loves it "more than my g***tals."
His scabrous wit appeared to have deserted him when confronted at his mansion in Chipping Norton, Oxon, about the alleged law-breaking, however.
He at first denied being in the car but when shown the photo said: "That isn't a mobile phone."
He then slammed the front door and shouted: "Look, I write a column for another newspaper. I'm not allowed to talk to you."
The father-of-three has had several brushes with the law in recent months.
In September he was acquitted in a speeding case after hiring celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, known as "Mr Loophole".
A V6 Alfa Romeo Brera which had been loaned to the presenter by the manufacturer was caught doing 82mph in a 50mph zone in Ruislip, west London. But the case was dropped at court because it couldn't be proved who was driving.
A month later, Clarkson and fellow Top Gear host James May were told they were to be investigated by a local authority for flouting laws about smoking in the work place after lighting up on TV.
Millions of viewers saw the pair puff on pipes in the studio near Godalming, Surrey, while discussing the branded goods car makers use to sell their products.
And in December, he found himself at the centre of another investigation by Thames Valley Police after grappling with a hooded teenager who shouted at him as he left an entertainment complex in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
The force later decided to take no action as there was "no evidence a crime took place".
Police are examining a photograph apparently showing the Top Gear presenter talking on his mobile phone while driving at 70mph on the motorway in his gas-guzzling 6.3 litre Mercedes.
The 47-year-old is now facing a police investigation and could get three points on his driving licence as well as a £60 fine.
Police are set to analyse the photograph - snapped on a mobile phone - to decide whether he ought to be charged with dangerous driving.
Scroll down for more...
Clarkson is snapped allegedly talking on the phone as he drives his green Mercedes
Thames Valley Police said the photograph would be examined along with any other evidence.
"We are taking this matter very seriously and will be collecting all the available evidence to see whether there is a case to answer," a spokesman said.
The photograph would "now be examined by road safety officers as part of the investigation", he added.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-2345...
A police insider warned today that no exceptions could be made for celebrities.
He said: "At a time when the Government and police are clamping down on motorists putting safety at risk by using mobiles at the wheel, it's vital that police are seen to be taking action against all alleged offenders, no matter who they are."
Clarkson was photographed as he overtook Adam Blake, 22, near the turn-off to the Silverstone racing circuit on Friday morning last week.
"My girlfriend said "Oh, that's Jeremy Clarkson" and then noticed he was on his mobile," Mr Blake said.
"She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
"Afterwards we moved into the fast lane and overtook him and we gave him a beep. It was clearly him."
Mr Blake, a recruitment consultant from Ascot, Berkshire, added: "I used to watch him every week on Top Gear and he was always banging on about the new driving laws.
When confronted about his misdemeanour Clarkson denied that he had been using a phone while driving(file picture)
"Everyone knows you can't use a phone behind the wheel. Perhaps he thinks he's above the law."
The death toll caused by motorists using hand-held mobiles more than doubled from 13 in 2005 to 28 in 2006, despite a ban being introduced in December 2003.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents yesterday condemned the practice as "illegal and dangerous".
A spokesman added: "It is disappointing to see someone well-known and looked up to in relation to driving doing that."
Clarkson was given the left-hand drive Mercedes as a Christmas present last year and, in typically brash style, has revealed he loves it "more than my g***tals."
His scabrous wit appeared to have deserted him when confronted at his mansion in Chipping Norton, Oxon, about the alleged law-breaking, however.
He at first denied being in the car but when shown the photo said: "That isn't a mobile phone."
He then slammed the front door and shouted: "Look, I write a column for another newspaper. I'm not allowed to talk to you."
The father-of-three has had several brushes with the law in recent months.
In September he was acquitted in a speeding case after hiring celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, known as "Mr Loophole".
A V6 Alfa Romeo Brera which had been loaned to the presenter by the manufacturer was caught doing 82mph in a 50mph zone in Ruislip, west London. But the case was dropped at court because it couldn't be proved who was driving.
A month later, Clarkson and fellow Top Gear host James May were told they were to be investigated by a local authority for flouting laws about smoking in the work place after lighting up on TV.
Millions of viewers saw the pair puff on pipes in the studio near Godalming, Surrey, while discussing the branded goods car makers use to sell their products.
And in December, he found himself at the centre of another investigation by Thames Valley Police after grappling with a hooded teenager who shouted at him as he left an entertainment complex in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
The force later decided to take no action as there was "no evidence a crime took place".
Just another reason why I hate recruitment consultants.
So are we all to start taking pictures of anyone we see on a mobile phone whilst driving? Or just famous people who can be made an example of?
Finally, looking at the angle of that picture, the girlfriend would've had to have been leaning right across the driver or in the back to get a clear picture from that angle.
Have people nothing better to do?
So are we all to start taking pictures of anyone we see on a mobile phone whilst driving? Or just famous people who can be made an example of?
Finally, looking at the angle of that picture, the girlfriend would've had to have been leaning right across the driver or in the back to get a clear picture from that angle.
Have people nothing better to do?
, It is budget day after all. Its all got to my head 
I can't see how that would go anywhere, you can't see his face, can't prove who's driving and there's most likely more than one of those cars in the country.
Why would he be facing a Dangerous Driving charge when everybody else just gets 3 points and a 60 quid fine unless their driving was proved to actually be dangerous.
... oh wait, it's because they want to be tougher on somebody who may be slightly outspoken. I still say Clarkson for Prime Minister
Why would he be facing a Dangerous Driving charge when everybody else just gets 3 points and a 60 quid fine unless their driving was proved to actually be dangerous.
... oh wait, it's because they want to be tougher on somebody who may be slightly outspoken. I still say Clarkson for Prime Minister
"My girlfriend said "Oh, that's Jeremy Clarkson" and then noticed he was on his mobile," Mr Blake said.
"She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
Strange, because that photo looks as if it has been taken from the driver's side of the vehicle - so she was either driving and taking photos at the same time, or was leaning across in front of the person actually doing the driving!
"She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
Strange, because that photo looks as if it has been taken from the driver's side of the vehicle - so she was either driving and taking photos at the same time, or was leaning across in front of the person actually doing the driving!
DIW35 said:
"My girlfriend said "Oh, that's Jeremy Clarkson" and then noticed he was on his mobile," Mr Blake said.
"She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
Strange, because that photo looks as if it has been taken from the driver's side of the vehicle - so she was either driving and taking photos at the same time, or was leaning across in front of the person actually doing the driving!
Was thinking the same (unless she sits in the back seat) but either way Mr Blake should be really 'proud' of himself........ "She grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. We couldn't believe we'd caught him out.
Strange, because that photo looks as if it has been taken from the driver's side of the vehicle - so she was either driving and taking photos at the same time, or was leaning across in front of the person actually doing the driving!
evenflow said:
More interestingly, what Merc is it? S600 Pullman?
Looks like it, what a glorious machine.This amuses me, they take this much action when someone, who can't be proven, is either on a phone, or scratching his cheek, maybe even shaving whilst driving and as it is clarkson they pull out all the stops to try and show they are strict and tough. It would appear the driver has taken the picture so surely they must face the same or worse as they are clearly driving dangerously.
Let's get someone else in trouble for something so stupid, so my life can mean something, he will brag about it down the pub and everyone will just think he is a tosser.
I can't believe they maike such a fuss, i don't remeber this much fuss about michael Burke presenter of Police camera action getting knicked for drink driving.
The police oviously have put their top people on this case, to ensure they hit their mark and make that all important 60 quid, more than 26 teenagers were killed in London last year but do the police make as much of a fuss about trying to reduce that figure?
Mattygooner said:
The police oviously have put their top people on this case, to ensure they hit their mark and make that all important 60 quid, more than 26 teenagers were killed in London last year but do the police make as much of a fuss about trying to reduce that figure?
Depends. Had it been "Clarkson caught on camera murdering people" then maybe so. Although in some people's eyes this is exactly what has happened. Stupid, jealous, hippy lentilly eyes.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff