Cyclist Survives Near-Fatal Accident After ‘Momentary Lapse of Focus’ From Driver

Road safety cannot be taken for granted. You need to stay alert at all times and be prepared to improvise. While some have perfected the mastery of driving safely and comfortably, many are still getting used to it. Although it’s not illegal to be a bad driver, it can very much turn out to be fatal. A Jersey schoolteacher  Julie Jones found this out the hard way. Now, she’s under a driving ban with 7o hours of community service in front of her.

Last November, the 51-year-old drove down Rue de la Vallée de St Pierre in St Peter, Jersey, when she struck the cyclist. The victim suffered from broken ribs, bruised lungs, a broken ankle, and a fracture to part of his pelvis. According to court documents, the cyclist was riding right in front of Jones but she didn’t see him despite her well-lit surroundings.

‘A serious incident that could have been worse’

In Jones’ defense, she instinctively performed first aid on the injured cyclist and called for an ambulance. Moreover, she immediately “pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and took responsibility immediately.” Jones’s defense also argued that in 32 years of driving, Jones has never had a similar incident before.

This was just a ‘momentary lapse in judgment,’ the defense claimed. The defense also suggested an endorsement of her license rather than a disqualification.

While the Jersey native’s early admission of guilt and her previously clean record worked in her favor, the judge stated that the injuries she caused were considerable. “This was not at low speed, even if it was within the speed limit. This was a serious incident that could have been worse,” he added.

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Jones’ driving license has now been suspended for 6 months. While that is fair, that’s not all. The schoolteacher will also have to complete 70 hours of community service.

A similar accident in the past involving a cyclist

Last year, a similar accident had fatal consequences, with a biker dying after he inexplicably cut across a driver’s path. At the time, the driver, Patricia Goulden, received a suspended prison sentence along with 200 hours of mandatory community service. Meanwhile, her victim, 43-year-old cyclist Louise Harrott, passed away after being struck by the car.

In order to save her life, authorities had Harrot’s body airlifted to the hospital. However, their efforts were all in vain as she passed away in the Manchester Royal Infirmary from injuries the next morning. “This tragic accident was caused by a lapse of concentration by you. However, there is no explanation or reason why you failed to see Louise,” the judge told Goulden in court. Gould received 26 weeks in prison, with her license suspended for 12 months.

What do you think would be an effective solution to curbing these incidents? Let us know in the comments.

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