Shocking footage shows HGV driver using his phone and not wearing a seatbelt

SHOCKING footage shows a HGV driver using his mobile and not wearing a seatbelt whilst behind the wheel on busy motorway.

The incident on the M61 happened on October 12 last year, however the video was removed by YouTube after a complaint was received from the haulage firm.

It’s understood that R.G. Bassett based in Stoke on Trent hastily had the video removed from YouTube, citing ‘Privacy Concerns’ such as their vehicle registration number, company name, phone number and website that were visible.

The clip was recorded by another lorry driver who uploads footage from his travels under the pseudonym ‘Cloud Maker’.

As the clip begins the dash cam vehicle is heading Northbound near junction 6, and is passing the R.G. Bassett HGV when he spots the driver with his phone in his right hand.

Sharing the footage online the anonymous lorry driver, 58 said: “I was overtaking a 44 tonne truck and saw the driver watching his phone in front of his face.

“Looking back at the side camera I saw that he was not wearing his seat belt either and he still had the phone in his right hand.”

swd08 rgbassett hgv driver on phone

One user commented: “These are meant to be professional drivers, same as any driver driving a large vehicle.

“For that they should be outed and treated worse as the amount of training they have to complete will reinforce what you can and can’t do!

“Only time it is acceptable is if your life is in danger and you’re calling 999.”

Another wrote: “If they value their job and other people’s lives they shouldn’t be on the phone end of.”

A third added: “In respect of the haulage company, I doubt they can legally tell you about any disciplinary action towards the driver due to GDPR, so they may have disciplined the driver but refuse to tell you.”

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Every driver knows it is illegal to hold a phone at the wheel.

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“Not only is it breaking the law but the potential consequences of distracted HGV driver ploughing into other vehicles doesn’t bear thinking about.

“All drivers should put their phones out of sight to avoid any temptation and potential catastrophe.

“Six penalty points and a £200 fine is a small price to pay for this atrocious driving.”

R G Bassett & Sons Ltd have declined to comment, so it is unclear if action was taken internally against the driver.

Greater Manchester Police have been asked for comment.

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