A local surgeon and former Road Safety Council chairman has denied a charge of using a hand-held device while driving — arguing that he only used his phone for a medical emergency.

While the law prohibits the use of any mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, an exemption applies for emergency cases.

Dr Christopher Johnson told the court yesterday that he had been contacted by a patient who was bleeding and did not wish to call 911 for a “myriad” of reasons.

He explained that he had been using the phone to obtain detailed directions to the patient’s home when he was stopped by police.

The surgeon said that he had attempted to explain the situation, but the officer did not seem to accept that he was a doctor, referring to him repeatedly as “Mr Johnson”.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo reserved his verdict on the matter until Friday.