Royal Watch News

Kate Middleton's phone drive

Oct 14, 2008, 11:00 GMT

Britain's Kate Middleton has caused outrage after being photographed driving while apparently talking on her mobile phone.

Prince William's girlfriend was seen in her vehicle clutching the device to her ear - which is illegal in the UK - as she drove down a country lane.

An eyewitness told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "She seemed to be going quite quickly. And you could quite clearly see she was on the phone.

"It is not exactly a busy road but it's narrow in places and you need to concentrate because you never know what's around the next corner."

If Kate had been spotted by police she could have been fined £60 and received three penalty points on her license. She could even have been jailed if she had caused an accident.

Roger Vincent, spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, slammed the 26 year old for her irresponsible behaviour.

He said: "Using a mobile phone while driving is extremely dangerous and has cost numerous lives. Drivers are four times more likely to crash if they are on their mobiles.

"People get sucked more and more into conversations and less on what is going on around them on the road.

"Even though you think you are in control you are not going to be able to react as quickly to the unexpected.

"We would urge Kate Middleton, and others, to realise the misery that is caused.

"It's extremely sad, no matter who it is, that people are not getting the message."

Representatives for Kate have not commented on the incident.