Careless driver who hit biker banned and fined

A 40-year-old driver was today fined $2,000 and banned from the roads for two years after he seriously injured a motorcyclist.

Duncan Henderson of Warwick pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Vernon Charles by driving a vehicle on South Road, Warwick in a careless manner on November 9.

Crown counsel Susan Mulligan told the court at 12:36pm that day, Henderson negotiated a right turn out of Marley Drive onto South Road. There is a sign on that road that says no right turn.

As he turned the car, he hit Mr Charles who was riding a motorcycle. As a result of the collision, Mr Charles suffered a broken collar bone and fractured ribs.

Henderson’s lawyer told the court his client lives in that neighbourhood and it is common practice for drivers to make that right turn.

But Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: “If he lives there, he should know that he can’t turn out of there.

“That sign is put there so that these things don’t happen. The sign is there so you shouldn’t turn right because of the layout of the road, especially as it relates to traffic coming from that side.”

The court heard Henderson was so shaken up by the accident that he hasn’t driven since.

Mr Warner fined Henderson $2,000 and banned him from driving all vehicles for 24-months.