Terrifying incident as lorry driver caught scrolling through phone on M7 motorway

A driving ban was given to an articulated truck driver spotted scrolling through his phone on the M7 motorway in Laois.

Vladmir Pavlov, 45, with an address at Logistic, Peachville, Kilshane, Dublin 11 was accused of holding a mobile phone while driving on the M7 at Togher, Portlaoise on May 15, 2023. 

Garda Rabbitte said he witnessed the driver, who wasn’t present in court, using his phone on the M7. He said the man was holding the phone in his right hand and was “scrolling on the phone with his left thumb.” 

He said the man was driving an articulated lorry at the time. The accused has no previous convictions, Garda Rabbitte told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Judge Andrew Cody, who had enquired about the type of vehicle, imposed a €750 fine and disqualified the man from driving for six months.