OK – so its another article on a few road traffic stories again – but as I have said before, they are the most common type of accident we specialist Injury Lawyers represent injured claimants for. And as a little warning for you, we are expecting the weather to worsen this week (and there was me thinking it was getting better), according to sources from the Mirror (source).
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, with the worse hit areas expected to be in the North East and the Scottish Borders. Just this morning I myself was caught up in traffic with the M1 at a standstill; assumable due to an accident, or in some way relating to the weather. So take extra care on the roads I the coming days!
So, a couple of high profile instances in the news recently. According to sources from the BBC, football legend Paul Gasgoine has been formally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol; an act which I am sure you are all aware is a serious offence carrying hefty penalties. He has also been charged with driving without insurance and without a license (source).
Roads are dangerous; this is a common fact. But when a person decides to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol – an act which places the offender in a position where they are not in full control of the vehicle – is a danger to other road users, and the offender will be found negligent for any damage they cause. There have been many instances of fatal road traffic accidents caused by a driver being over the influence of alcohol, which is the clear reason as to why it is illegal to drink and drive!
And to as to the high profilers, British racing ace Lewis Hamilton has been heavily criticised after his car was impounded down under in Australia following an instance of wheel spinning whilst setting off to his hotel from a racing session. He also admitted to driving with “over-exuberance” and has apologised for his “silly” behaviour. It seems a small matter to me, but road rules are road rules; even if fellow driver and Australian national Mark Webber has sided with Hamilton, branding his home nation a “nanny-state” when it comes to particular rules of the road!
I guess its hard to keep control of yourself behind the wheel of a car when you’re one of the world best racing drivers; but Lewis has stated before he has no wild side to him. And according to sources form the Mirror, there are far worse instances of dangerous and out of the ordinary driving! According to sources, a pensioner was stopped by police from driving the wrong side down a dual carriageway, resulting in road users swerving to avoid collision and law enforcers deploying a chopper as part of the chase. The 95 year old has reportedly surrendered his license in light of the incident, and luckily no one was hurt – despite numerous attempts by road users to alert him to his actions!
