Road Traffic cases

Head-on collision with parked police vehicle

The case outlined here indicates that all drivers are expected to be vigilant and to take appropriate measures to avoid hazards. The driver had collided head-on with a police car parked on the wrong side of a road, facing oncoming traffic. The judge found that the accident had been attributable to the driver’s lack of attention or excess speed or a combination of both. He should have realised appreciated that there was a hazard and had sufficient time to take evasive action. The level of contributory negligence of the officer in control of the police car was 30% as she had accidentally switched off the car’s side lights.