An owner-driver who tried to breach a motorway safety block is facing a prison sentence after being convicted of dangerous driving. Paul Simpson of Maryport, Cumbria denied the offence. Kendal magistrates were told that Simpson's vehicle ended up squeezed between a Highways Agency (HA) high-visibility four-wheel-drive vehicle and the central reservation barrier of the M6 near Tebay after trying to get around the safety block in January.
High winds had blown over several lorries on the M6. In one incident, southbound between Junctions 38 and 37, a driver was killed and Cumbria Police and recovery operators went to the scene later to right the vehicle in preparation for its removal. HA traffic officers from the Cumbria South outstation near Millness were deployed to slow down and hold back the traffic with a rolling roadblock to allow the lorry to be safely righted and prevent traffic hitting any falling debris.
Using their flashing lights and 'don't pass' and 'stay back' signs, the officers set up the block just past Tebay services. Simpson admitted he had seen signs advising of a lane-three closure, 50mph advisory speed signs and the flashing lights of an HA vehicle. However, he claimed he had not seen the vehicle's electronic display signs saying 'don't pass' and 'stay back', and had begun his overtaking manoeuvre some way from the traffic officers' car. The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.
The case summary
The district judge felt that a custodial sentence must be considered, since Simpson had endangered the safety of the officers and other road users.
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