Driving ban for young husband and father at Waterford District Court
The incident of careless driving, which happened in 2023, was reported to gardaí by a member of the public. Stock Image.
A young husband and father has been put off the road for a year at Waterford District Court for careless driving.
The man who was a minor at the time of the offence initially received a fixed penalty notice but on nonpayment was issued a summons to court for a higher offence.
Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that in May 2023, gardaí received a report from a member of the public about a car they observed driving erratically.
The driver overtook three cars, carrying out a dangerous manoeuvre and remained on the wrong side of the road for a prolonged period.
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The gardaí went to the area and found the driver who confirmed he was driving on that road at the time reported.
The court was told that the man had six previous convictions, all under the road traffic act, including for hit and run, speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, driving unaccompanied and driving without L plates.
Acting for the defendant, Ken Cunningham said it was “unorthodox” that the man was issued with a fixed penalty notice for one offence but summoned for another.
Sergeant Hickey confirmed that the gardaí are entitled to do that if the penalty is not paid.
In mitigation, Mr Cunningham said that his client was recently married and has a child.
Judge Kevin Staunton took into account the man’s age and marital status ,as well as the impact being off the road would have on his young family.
He also gave him credit for his guilty plea and imposed a 12-month driving ban.
