OFF THE WIRE
http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/news/motorcyclist-texts-while-riding
Motorcyclist texts while riding
Saturday, 23 July 2011 | Written by Asia | | Riders and motorcycle safety advocates often cite texting as one of the major distractions for the modern driver.
But what happens when it’s the motorcyclist doing the texting?
Police in North Hampshire claim twenty-three year old Kevin Watt was riding with one hand on the handlebars and the other texting with a cellphone when they pulled him over at 2pm on Tuesday.
"I noticed that the driver was driving with his right hand on the handle bar and on his left hand, he had a phone. He was looking down. He was texting, and it's incredibly dangerous. He wasn't paying attention to the road so I decided to stop the motorcycle," said North Hampton Police Officer Steven Janvrin.
Using personal information verbally given to the officers, no valid motorcycle license could be verified and a tow truck was called to tow the motorcycle. Police later disclosed Watt gave them a fake name and date of birth, which belonged to another man.
Somewhere during this unusual police stop, Watt ran away into a nearby wooded area. Police initiated a search, which calling law enforcement from the surrounding areas.
Watt was later found from a tip on his whereabouts and was taken into custody after some reported verbal and physical resistance on his part.
"Several people called in that a strange person was in their bushes or walking around their property. It's mainly businesses out there, but that's what ultimately brought us to capture him," Janvrin said.
Police think there was a possible parole violation and it was ordered Watt be held on a $3,000 cash bail.
