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Police release safety message after a laser pen distracted drivers on the M20 between junctions 8 and 9

Police seized a green laser pen after it was used to dazzle drivers on the M20.

Officers were called to the motorway between junctions 8 and 9 - Hollingbourne and Ashford - following reports the passenger of a lorry was shining the light into passing cars.

The vehicle was stopped at the Ashford International Truckstop and the pen was seized.

Laser pens can cause temporary blindness in pilots. Library image.
Laser pens can cause temporary blindness in pilots. Library image.

The incident, last night, was reported on Kent Police’s Roads Policing Unit’s Twitter account, along with a warning on the dangers of using laser pens.

The Tweet said: “Responding to reports of a passenger in a lorry shining a green laser into passing cars on the M20 8-9.

“Offending vehicle stopped in Ashford.

“Pen seized and passenger reported for causing a danger to road users.

“This is extremely dangerous and must NEVER be done!”

The tweets were sent from Kent Police's Roads Policing Unit account last night
The tweets were sent from Kent Police's Roads Policing Unit account last night

The offender, whose age is not known, was not arrested but instead spoken to at the scene and advised he will receive a summons to court.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 8.40pm to a report of a laser pen being shone at a driver on the M20.

“A lorry was stopped in the Ashford area and the passenger was reported for causing a danger to road users and will receive a summons to court.”

Shining a laser pen is a criminal offense and under the Air Navigation Order 2009, could result in a fine of up to £5,000 and/or five years imprisonment.


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