Ban for driver who went wrong way down A24
The former teacher blamed his satnav for the issue near Horsham
A dangerous driver who drove his car the wrong way down the A24 in West Sussex has been banned from the roads for a year.
Peter Byrne turned the wrong way into oncoming traffic on the stretch at Southwater, near Horsham.
Sussex Police said the 46-year-old former teacher from High Salvington had incorrectly followed satnav instructions and failed to take heed of clear road signs.
PC Mark Gregory from the force's Roads Policing Unit was driving on the stretch when he saw Byrne's vehicle travelling towards him.
He said:
"Byrne said it was a momentary lapse of concentration, and said he was following a satnav which told him to turn left.
"He had not seen the very obvious and clear road signs that stated ‘no left turn’.
"As a result, he risked a head-on collision with oncoming traffic around a bend, which put his own safety and the safety of other road users at high risk.
"Satnavs are a tool of modern driving, but there may be occasions where the information is out of date for the road layouts, incorrect, or may not take into account temporary road changes.
"The case highlights that drivers must be more aware of road signs and directions, and not just simply follow a satnav instruction.
"Byrne has learned this expensive lesson in court, but is also fortunate not to have caused a serious collision."
Byrne admitted failing to comply with the road traffic signs, and was found guilty of dangerous driving at a hearing at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on February 20th.
In addition to his one-year disqualification, subject to taking an extended retest, he has also been fined £4,615, and must also pay £650 court costs and a surcharge of £1,846.