Magistrate almost crashes while driving and using her mobile phone

Every day on the radio, we are bombarded with messages reminding us that using our phones while driving can cause us to kill or maim somebody. Fines for those caught driving while holding their phone have increased.

But yesterday morning, a magistrate – who is expected to sit in judgement over others who cause accidents while using their phones and driving at the same time – was herself seen doing just that.

A friend who was driving towards Rabat from Qormi just before 10am yesterday, was almost hit by a convertible sports car that sped out of a side road near the Zebbug roundabout. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera was at the wheel.

“I had the right of way because I was on the main road and approaching the roundabout,” my friend said. “But she just sped out of the side-road without looking. She had her mobile phone in her right hand up against her ear and was obviously distracted. She made no sign of apology, and instead honked irritably at me. When she saw that I wasn’t going to get out of her way, she gave me a vicious look. She didn’t look bothered or embarrassed at all that she had been recognised as a magistrate breaking the law by driving and using her phone.”

|Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera