Lorry driver jailed for killing cyclist hidden by cluttered dashboard
A lorry driver who killed a doctor in a fatal collision has been jailed for 21 months after he failed to see the cyclist from behind his cluttered dashboard
Robert Bradbury, 50, was made aware of the dangers of his tray-table months before hitting the 32-year-old.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital doctor, Suzana Bull, was travelling in a cycle lane 3 metres away, in bright pink clothing before dying at the scene in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on October 9, 2017.
Bradbury had described the incident as ‘six of one and half a dozen of the other’ while a judge at Birmingham Crown Court said the lorry driver didn’t believe he was to blame.
Judge Paul Farrer QC said: “Dr Bull was cycling in a dedicated cycle lane. She cannot be criticised.”
The jury were unable to reach a verdict on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and took 13 hours to find Bradbury guilty of causing death by careless driving.
Bradbury has also been given a 34-month driving ban. The driver’s former employer, Coleshill-based S&J Transport, who admitted failing to discharge a duty, an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, were fined £112,500 and ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.
The event has brought into focus issues around dashboard clutter, and how it can present a serious danger when it obstructs your clear view of the road.
The judge said: “S&J were aware that several of their drivers were driving with these tables in place.
“In that knowledge, the company failed over a significant period of time.”
An inspection on April 25, found Bradbury’s tray to be a hazard and yet it was still seen on April 28 on an ANPR camera.
Bradbury told the court he had installed the tray “Just so I could be one of the lads. They all had one so I got one.”
“My gaffer at the time drove with one in. Nobody said anything to me about it.”
A sat-nav, ornaments and fan were found on the tray-table.
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