2009′s last story is a cautionary tale, where a woman lost a Mercedes SLK because of her mobile phone.  Specifically, the phone she was using while driving, which is illegal – and which the police have decided they’ll actually enforce.  A Bromley police unit pulled her over simply for seeing her talking while driving, but the standard suite of checks – little things like “is this car insured” – left her by the roadside while the Mercedes was impounded.

As well as the embarrassment of walking home, and answering the odd question of “didn’t you have a car when you left?” there’s also a big fine. While it may have been the lack of insurance that lead to the seizure, it was the mobile phone which caused the check – cause for concern for anyone whose driving history isn’t spotless, especially when you add the six penalty points she’ll have, even when the car is returned.

It’s unfortunate that “monetary fine” and “licence issues” are required, rather than the “you might kill someone if you’re distracted when steering tons of metal through urban areas” factor, but as long as something stops drivers from distracting themselves it’s all okay with us.