A man who tailgated an emergency vehicle causing it to stop to address him has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
The 27-year-old’s barrister told court: “The emergency vehicle had been cutting through traffic, it was not a case of him deliberately tailgating. It was a foolish piece of opportunism.”
Aaron Hannon, of Eblana Street in Belfast, was convicted in his absence of dangerous driving at Armagh Magistrates’, sitting at Newry.
The particulars outlined that the offence occurred on October 28, 2018, on the Dobbin Road, Portadown.
Arguing that the offence should be one of careless driving, defence barrister Kevin O’Hare stated: “The emergency vehicle had been cutting through traffic, it was not a case of him deliberately tailgating. It was a foolish piece of opportunism.
“I believe that it is one of careless driving, albeit aggravated by the fact that the emergency vehicle had to stop and I believe that could be reflected in a higher fine.”
District Judge Eamonn King said: “The impression I have is that he was taking advantage of the emergency vehicle cutting through traffic and in doing so the emergency driver’s attention was drawn to him.
“I am of the view that it was dangerous driving and I will deal with him on that basis.”
Hannon was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within four weeks.
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