Motorists need to take into account 'fragile' cyclists - Derry judge says
The comments from District Judge Ted Magill came in the case of Linda Chambers (59) of Stonybrook in Strabane who admitted one charge of causing death or grievous bodily injury by careless driving on April 28 last year
A judge at Derry Magistrates' Court today said that cyclists are 'fragile' and motorists have to take account of that.
The comments came in the case of Linda Chambers (59) of Stonybrook in Strabane who admitted one charge of causing death or grievous bodily injury by careless driving on April 28 last year.
The court heard that the defendant was driving on the Ardmore Road and was turning right.
The injured party was a cyclist on the road and as Chambers turned she struck the cyclist causing him serious injuries requiring reconstructive surgery.
The defendant told police that the sun was in her eyes and she had simply not seen the cyclist and the first thing she knew the cyclist 'was on her windscreen'.
Defence counsel Fergal McCormack said his client had 'reached out' to the injured party to check on his condition.
He said this was not a case of someone being reckless on the road.
District Judge Ted Magill said that this was 'a pure accident' as the woman was simply driving on the road.
He said that any accident involving cyclists could result in serious injuries.
He said Chambers had never been in trouble before and was unlikely to be ever again.
He disqualified her from driving for two years.