Video shows moment Surrey driver crashes after ‘highly dangerous’ illegal manoeuvre
A 66-year-old man from Woking, Surrey, has been sentenced for his role in a serious road traffic collision that left four people with severe injuries.
Norman Cha was travelling to Cornwall for a holiday with his wife and mother-in-law, attempted to overtake a HGV despite wet road conditions., on November 26, 2022.
He was on the A30 near Rawridge in Devon when the manoeuvre went wrong, resulting in a three-vehicle collision that caused multiple injuries.
Sergeant Troy Bennett of the Serious Collision Investigations Team said: “Norman Chai’s actions on the 26 November 2022 had catastrophic consequences. His illegal overtake contravened double solid white lines, he travelled through the filter lane for oncoming traffic and almost collided into a central traffic island before he lost control.
“This was done during heavy rain with wet roads and was a highly dangerous and egregious manoeuvre resulting in serious injuries to people, including Chai himself, occupants of his own car, and those in the oncoming vehicles he struck."
He appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday, July 3, where he was given a suspended sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Recorder James Bromige sentenced Chai to two years in custody, suspended for two years. Additionally, Chai was tagged for three months, fined £2,000, banned from driving for three years, and ordered to take an extended driving test.
The police have released dashcam footage of the incident to highlight the dangers of reckless driving. Sergeant Troy Bennett said: “The dashcam footage of the collision released by us today demonstrates how quickly things can go devastatingly wrong when you drive dangerously. Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to reducing fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads and all drivers have a responsibility to drive carefully and appropriately.”
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