Given strong mitigation, suspension reduced to 1 week following bridge strike

Richard Dawson represented an LGV driver for an international logistics company who had been called to a Driver Conduct Hearing following a bridge strike.

Vehicles striking bridges or other road infrastructure pose a significant risk to occupants of those vehicles and other road users.  Such collisions also result in disruption to the road and rail networks.  It is recognised that the majority of collisions might be avoidable and, often, are caused as a result of negligence and poor training.

The starting point sanction for any vehicle collision with a bridge caused by carelessness or negligence is revocation of the vocational licence entitlement and a disqualification for 6 months.

In this instance, the Traffic Commissioner was persuaded that there was substantial personal mitigation.  The driver had been distracted by extreme family circumstances. Nevertheless, the incident occurred through a degree of carelessness and was avoidable.

Taking the mitigation into account, the Traffic Commissioner reduced the penalty to a 1 week suspension of the vocational licence.  A period of suspension was necessary to reflect the risk and disruption to other road and rail users and the economic costs associated.

Richard was instructed on a direct access basis.  Thanks go to David Chant at DWF for the recommendation.

Richard Dawson is an expert trial lawyer, specialising in transport law, defending corporate bodies and individuals facing regulatory investigation and prosecution.

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