Errant drivers under lens; might face fine, ban

London, Dec 29 (UNI) Watch out before grabbing a bite, engaging in phone conversation or taking a drag on roll-ups at the wheel as ''Big Brother'' might be keeping an eye on you on digital speed cameras.

The UK drivers would have to face fines, bans and even jail for committing a mass array of minor infringements, including driving without a seatbelt, using a hand-held mobile phone or overtaking across double white lines if caught on hi-tech DVD cameras, which have instant playback.

These were now considered serious offences under new guidelines drawn up for prosecutors.

The development was believed to increase the number of fines and prosecutions against normally law-abiding drivers for relatively minor offences.

Every police force in England, Wales and Scotland was now equipped with the new digital cameras.

The instant playback of the DVD cameras doubled up to photograph motorists flouting laws other than speeding.

The new technology ''Concept'' allowed officers to play back the footage to locate, view and capture the offence instantly.

At present, officers could record an offence such as driving with a mobile phone clamped to their ear or without a seatbelt but would then have to look through perhaps two hours of tape in order to find it again.

UNI