Gary Neville blasted for using mobile phone at the wheel and ‘cutting up other motorist’
Former England and Manchester United defender was caught shamelessly chatting away while driving £100,000 BMW
FORMER England star Gary Neville has been blasted by road safety experts for using his mobile phone at the wheel of his £100,000 motor - just days after police launched a crackdown on the dangerous practice.
The ex-Manchester United skipper was photographed in broad daylight shamelessly chatting away on the device while driving his black BMW i8.
Red Devils legend Nev, 41, pulled out onto a busy road after leaving Hotel Football in Manchester - which he co-owns alongside his Class of 92 teammates - with the phone held firmly to his ear.
With just one hand on the wheel, he accelerated when the driver in front slowed down to turn left - before cutting in front of him.
The driver said: “I couldn’t believe it.
“I was driving along with my girlfriend and put my indicator on to signal left.
“But rather than slowing down Neville immediately pulled into the left hand lane to cut me off and speeded ahead of me.
“I looked across and couldn’t believe it was him and he was just chatting away.
“He gave me a really dirty look back as if it was my fault.
“I thought it was incredibly arrogant and rude.
“Just because he was a famous footballer and drives a posh car doesn’t mean he can break the law.
“He was acting as if he owned the road but the same rules apply to him as to everybody else.
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“I was so angry.
“My girlfriend managed to get a picture of him.
“It’s even worse when you think how many people must idolise him and this is the example he sets.
“He’s lucky he didn’t cause an accident.
“I’m a United fan myself and it’s a shame to see him acting in such a way.”
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The incident happened at around 2pm last Wednesday - just outside the Sky Sports pundit’s former home ground Old Trafford.
The move has been slammed by road safety charities, who branded Neville “selfish” and “reckless”.
It comes just days after Greater Manchester Police launched a six-week crackdown on motorists using their phones behind the wheel as part of a national week of action.
In the first week alone, 142 people in Greater Manchester were stopped for using a phone.
Gary Rae, campaigns director for Brake, said: “Mr Neville might well be in favour if you’re an England fan but we’re no fan of his because of his reckless and selfish behaviour.
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“You’re four times more likely to crash when you’re using a mobile.
“If found guilty, I doubt he’ll be too troubled by a £100 fine.
“We need to get tough on what is criminal driving.
“I hope he publicly apologises for his apparent error.
“Perhaps he’d like to talk to us about how we can promote safer driving.”
Nick Lloyd, road safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Sadly, despite legislation which makes it illegal to do so, many people still use a mobile phone behind the wheel.”
Army staff sergeant Elaine Corner, 47, who had to have her left foot amputated and lives in constant pain after she was knocked off her motorcycle in 2011 by a van driver using his phone, said: “You have to ask yourself is that phone call really that important?
“I was initially grateful I was alive but I am incredulous that he didn’t see me.
“I know it’s because I wasn’t concentrating on his driving because he was on his phone.”
From next year, new penalties will be in place seeing drivers get six points on their licence and a £200 spot fine for using a mobile phone while driving.
Neville previously mocked his “boring” brother Phil after he took a speed awareness course in 2014.
When Phil tweeted he was due to attend, Gary replied: “A bit like a conversation with you.
“Boring but important!”
Last week, The Sun revealed how Manchester United ace Antonio Valencia, 31, used his mobile phone to video his daughter, 10, singing on the school run.
Gary Neville declined to comment.