Mobile phone driver spared ban due to remote location of her home

A DRIVER caught using her mobile phone while travelling along a motorway avoided being banned from the roads because she lives in a remote location.

Mikayla Cooper (27), of Hundred Lane, Portmore, used a hand-held phone at the wheel of an Audi A4 on the M27 near Hedge End on 18th September last year, Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard.

The Bench found her guilty of the offence after she denied it at a previous hearing, and six points were imposed on her licence.

But they decided not to disqualify her under the totting up procedure.

It was ruled there were exceptional circumstances in the case, with the defendant suffering “exceptional hardship” if she was unable to drive.

This was due to her isolated home, which would cause a risk to her personal safety.

The court was also told she lives with her grandmother, who depends on her for matters such as shopping which, if she was disqualified, would involve a long walk along dangerous main roads.

Cooper was fined £184 and told to pay £430 costs.