Taxi driver fined after U-turn led to motorbike rider’s fall

Taxi driver fined after U-turn led to motorbike rider’s fall

Robert Mason (73), who pleaded guilty to careless driving, had been attempting to perform a U-turn in front of the Beau Rivage Hotel in St Brelade when the incident happened.

Centenier Amanda Wright told the Magistrate’s Court how the accident took place on 25 June 2018 at around 10pm when Mason had arrived to pick up customers.

‘He says that he arrived early for his fare and pulled into the car park opposite the Beau Rivage Hotel, where he did a U-turn into the road to lead back to the direction of St Brelade’s Church,’ she said.

‘The vehicle was struck by a small motorcycle that tried to swerve out of his way and Mr Mason immediately stopped and called the emergency services.’

The woman suffered ligament damage, bruising across her body, grazing and pain to her head, and the court also heard that the incident had inflamed a pre-existing condition.

Advocate Debbie Corbel, defending, said that her client had been extremely co-operative with the police and had been concerned for the rider’s welfare throughout the case.

‘This was a momentary lapse in concentration and I would put this in the lower band of [sentencing] guidelines. There was no excessive speed, he is very remorseful and had no passengers in the vehicle.

‘He is 73 years old, has been driving since he was 17 years old and has a completely clean licence and has been a part-time taxi driver since 1987.’

Advocate Corbel added that her client had stopped driving at night and asked that he not be disqualified, as a driving ban would have an effect on his income. During sentencing, the Magistrate, Bridget Shaw, said that Mason was an experienced driver and should have known that he needed to take care when turning his car around.

‘You did not stop and look both ways before you decided to pull out. You did not give enough time, care and attention to make sure that there was anything coming and, in doing so, caused significant injuries to the woman that had an underlying problem, which you caused to resurface.

‘You say you are sorry, but we all drive vehicles that are capable of causing injury and that is why we must be careful at all times.’

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