Driver who collided with motorcyclist had failed to indicate
SHE WAS PERFORMING THREE-POINT TURN WHEN HITTING BIKE
A DERBYSHIRE nurse collided with a motorbike in a crash on the A52 near Ashbourne after forgetting to indicate.
Siobhan Moulton was behind the wheel of her car when she turned into a motorbike while attempting a threepoint turn.
Moulton, 29, performed several checks prior to attempting the manoeuvre, but did not indicate before she executed it on the busy route at Kirk Langley.
The biker admitted he was “weaving in and out of traffic”, with other drivers also saying they did not see the bike prior to the collision.
Alice Hornsby, prosecuting, said: “This was a very unfortunate incident. On August 14 this year, the defendant was driving her vehicle on the A52 when she came to a stop due to heavy traffic. She decided to turn her vehicle around, effectively do a three-point turn, to go the other way.
“Unfortunately she failed to indicate, and collided with a bike. The rider of the motorcycle did suffer some injuries. The defendant was very co-operative, staying on the scene, and it quite clearly seems to me a very poor error of judgment.
“She gave a full account in interview and had done various checks before starting to move, but failed to indicate.”
No details were given as to the injuries or damage caused in the crash. At a hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Wednesday, she pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention, her first conviction for any offence.
Sonia Lawrence, defending, said that Moulton, a dementia nurse of Rupert Road, Derby, needed her car for work and regularly travelled across the county.
She also added that her client, who appeared in court in a black dress and was supported by family, was pregnant with her first child.
She said: “The motorcyclist himself said he was weaving in and out of traffic. He was overtaking and as she turns he goes into the side of her.
“It was quite an impact, but she accepts that she should have indicated.
“The person in the car in front of her looked in her mirror and did not see the bike either.
“She has found it very difficult to cope, but fortunately she was fully insured.”
Deputy District Judge Catherine Mctigue, sentencing, said: “I give you maximum credit for your guilty plea and co-operation with the police. For this matter, you will be fined £200, pay costs of £85, and a victim surcharge of £85.” Moulton was also given five licence penalty points, on top of an existing three.