A 93-year-old driver has been fined £3,750 for causing the crash that killed a Hampshire man on the first day of his retirement.
Alfred Ross today told a court he had no intention to get behind the wheel ever again after he was also banned from driving for five years.
Ross, who had an unblemished record on the roads for more than 75 years, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by careless driving by pulling out in front of biker Jeffrey Bennett.
Magistrates heard how Ross, who was also asked to pay £70 in costs, had a “momentary lapse of concentration” when turning out of Sway Road on to the A337 near Brockenhurst.
Mr Bennett, 65, of Stanley Road, Lymington, died from injuries sustained during the crash close to the Filly Inn on October 8 last year. He had retired from work the previous day.
In a statement released following the case, Mr Bennett’s daughter Lucy Bennett and his partner Julia Mason said: “Nothing that has happened in court today will change what has happened to us, make it any more bearable or bring us any feelings of justice.
“What it has done, however, is highlight the existing legislation governing older drivers, which is grossly inadequate.
“Currently, drivers, who are more than 70 years of age, are required to complete a form every three years and asked to declare any medical conditions.
“Only if they declare a medical condition are they required to have an examination by their doctor. According to The Times, many elderly drivers do not fill in these forms honestly.
“The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that serious consideration should be given to a system of compulsory medical checks for older drivers.
“Our situation begs the question: “Why this is not in place already?” Surely, we need an immediate change in the law.
“I would also urge families of older drivers to address any concerns they may have about their driving abilities. You, too, have a responsibility if you think there is a problem.
“What happened to my father was entirely preventable and should never have happened.
“His death will always be devastating and senseless, but if it can bring about a re-evaluation of the current legislation and prevent this happening to another family, we will have some comfort.”
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