90 year old driver banned after seriously injuring cyclist

A 90-year-old driver who seriously injured a cyclist when he pulled out of a junction in a SMIDSY-type incident  has been banned from driving, reports the Bolton News.

The rider, retired police officer Peter Fitton, 53, spent 13 weeks in hospital with severe leg injuries after the incident and has only just been able to get back on his bike.

In addition to the driving ban, Thomas Clark, of Farnworth, near Bolton in Greater Manchester received a £100 fine and must pay £35 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

Mr Fitton, said: “I give no pleasure whatsoever in him getting any punishment. I just questioned whether or not he should be on the road. I would like further assessment for driving so the sentence seems fair enough. I don’t know the man and I have no personal gripe against him.”

Mr Clark, a former driving instructor, struck Mr Fitton when he pulled out from the street on which he lives in Farnworth onto St Helens Road on September 16, last year.

Mr Fitton, from Atherton, had retired from the police force due to leg problems before the accident but still cycled 200 miles a week, reports the Bolton News.

The ‘paper says he is now likely to require knee replacement surgery sooner than had been anticipated given of the nature of the leg fractures he received in the crash.

Howard Sloane, prosecuting at Bolton Magistrates Court, said: “As a result of the incident, he sustained serious fractures to his left leg and extensive bruising, cuts and his legs were black and blue. He has competed at a national level in cycling and rode 200 miles each week.”

Mohamed Patel, defending Mr Clark, said: “He is deeply remorseful. It was an unfortunate accident. He has never been involved in any accidents before. It has been traumatising for him.”

Mr Clark, a widower, had worked as a driving instructor and drove a taxi until 2006 but will have to pass a further driving test if he wishes to drive in future.