Driver, 89, caused crash with brake pedal mix-up
A PENSIONER who passed his driving test at the end of the Second World War caused a crash when he accelerated into a junction instead of braking, a court has heard.
Ronald Atkinson, 89, accidentally deployed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal of his car on approach to the junction of Napier Street and Alma Street, Burton, on July 9 last year.
The error caused him to propel forward, hitting a Mercedes saloon car.
He appeared at Burton Magistrates’ Court, sporting a heavy limp, to plead guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention.
Emma Thompson, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was driving a Volkswagen Polo on Napier Street, and was coming up to the junction when a Mercedes was driving down Alma Street.
“This defendant came out at that point and collided with the Mercedes.” Passengers in both vehicles were injured and damage was caused to the two cars.
“He said he saw the car but his foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator,” Mrs Thompson said.
Atkinson, of Napier Street, Burton, passed his driving test in 1945.
While his licence had previously been endorsed with penalty points for speeding offences in 2008 and 2010, he had never been involved in a road traffic collision before in his 66 years behind the wheel. Atkinson was offered the chance to take a ‘driver alertness’ course, which he initially accepted.
However, he was unable to complete the course as he broke his shoulder.
Neil O’Driscoll, defending, said: “He will be 90 in March.
“He did the right thing. He stopped and got out of the car.
“He went and asked the people if they were okay.
“He didn’t leave the scene or anything.” The solicitor asked the magistrates to bear in mind that Atkinson, who was on a state pension, had admitted the offence at the earliest opportunity.
Atkinson was fined £35 and was also ordered to pay court costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £15.
His licence was also endorsed with four penalty points.
