Lawmaker Yasmin Qureshi MP turns lawbreaker

I really detest people who are stupid enough to use a mobile phone while driving.

Aside from their lack of control over the steering wheel if they aren't using an hands-free model, how much attention can they give to the road if they are trying to concentrate on a telephone conversation at the same time?

Leicestershire Police claim that if you are using your mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash.

Fellow Walthamstow blogger freewheeler, author of the Crap Cycling and Walking in Waltham Forest blog, has the guts to publish the registration numbers of cars driven by people talking on mobile phones.

Now, one of Britain's lawmakers, Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi, has been convicted of using a mobile phone while driving as well as having no car insurance, according to the Manchester Evening News.

You would expect a higher standard of behaviour from a new MP, let alone a new MP who used to be a lawyer.

Quershi's solicitor said she would now have the "inconvenience" of having to use taxis and public transport.

Poor diddums. Having to get on the bus with the general public (and perhaps if the bus service was a bit better it wouldn't be such an inconvenience). And at least she can afford taxis, unlike many of her constituents.

Quershi had a previous offence of using her mobile phone while driving dating from May 25 2008 and two speeding offences, one in 2007 and another last year.

These earlier offences meant that a driving ban of six months has been applied, as well as fines of £950 for driving with no insurance and £300 for the mobile phone offence. She also had to pay £35 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

I'm a hardliner when it comes to unsafe drivers.

I'd like to see people banned from driving for eight years each time they are caught using a mobile phone, and for four years each time they are caught speeding.

They should also have to resit their theory and practical (at their own expense) before getting their licence back.

Driving a car is a privilege not a right.

I think Yasmin Qureshi got off with a very light punishment.

I would also urge the voters of Bolton South East to vote Yasmin Quershi out at the first opportunity.

The Labour Party should also reconsider whether they want her as the candidate for the next general election, otherwise the seat might turn blue or yellow.