Truck driver’s tablet may have caused crash
A fatal crash in Auckland that killed an elderly woman may have been caused by a truck driver getting distracted by his tablet, a coroner has ruled.
Valerie Faye Stewart, a 74-year-old retiree from Mt Albert, was struck by a delivery van while crossing St Lukes Rd on June 28, 2018. She died from her injuries in Auckland City Hospital two days later.
Coroner Heather McKenzie’s findings on the crash highlighted issues around the unregulated use of tablets and similar devices while driving.
‘‘In my view, the tablet’s placement was a significant distraction and impediment for the driver in terms of overall driving vision, concentration, and safety,’’ McKenzie said.
The tablet had been attached directly in front of the driver’s face, McKenzie said, in the ‘‘critical vision area’’.
‘‘I recommend police, WorkSafe and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency undertake a joint safety campaign regarding the safe use of electronic tablets or other similar devices in vehicles,’’ McKenzie said. ‘‘Drawing greater public attention to the issue will reduce the chances of further deaths occurring in similar circumstances.’’
According to Waka Kotahi NZ
Transport Agency, almost a third of New Zealand drivers said they would text or message someone while driving.
‘‘The road is the workplace for truck drivers, so any road death involving a truck is felt acutely by our industry,’’ Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett said. ‘‘Distraction is one of the big contributors to road accidents across the board, particularly involving looking at electronic devices while driving, or having them in the driver’s line of sight. We take on board what the coroner has said, and we will continue to work with government agencies to raise awareness about the use of tablets and similar devices truck drivers use for work purposes.’’
The truck driver was convicted of careless driving causing death. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for 15 months.