Motorcyclist hit car while overtaking

Fifty two year old Michael James Clarke, Legahory Court, Craigavon, was charged with dangerous driving at Belfast Road, Magheralin, on July 22.

But instead he was found guilty of driving without due care and attention.

He was fined £250, ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy, and given nine penalty points.

The court heard that the accident happened around 3pm. The defendant was on a motorcycle and was overtaking when he struck the car.

Clarke suffered injury in the accident and left the scene in an ambulance.

One witness said that the car was clearly indicating and another felt that the motorcycle was going too fast.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said there was a clear indication on the map this was marked as a hazard area.

A barrister for Clarke said it wasn’t a case of aggressive overtaking by the defendant. He did not see the indicator on the lead car.

The motorcycle was his only means of transport to work.

Mr Bates, said that riding a more cycle required even more care than driving a motor vehicle.

He felt the offence was at the upper end of driving without due care and attention and not dangerous driving.