[A] driver who admitted causing death by driving without due care and attention has today been convicted and sentenced.
Janet Jackson, 79, of Grange-over-Sands, admitted the offence and was sentenced by the district judge sitting at Barrow Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard how Jackson had been driving her Citroen Picasso on the A5074 at 2pm on 2 September 2016 when she came to the junction with the A590 at Gilpin Bridge. She was intending to travel westbound by crossing both lanes of the eastbound carriageway and then using the central reservation turning area.
However, a Triumph Tiger motorcycle being ridden on the eastbound carriageway on the A590 collided into the side of her car as it crossed the carriageway. The rider was a Dr Christopher Lightfoot, from the Bristol area, who had been recently working in Barrow.
Mr Lightfoot suffered numerous injuries in the collision. He was taken to Preston Hospital but died on 6 September 2016 from his injuries.
In her police interview, Jackson told officers she thought she had enough time and space to make the manoeuvre safely but made an error of judgement.
Sergeant Martin Smith said: “Whilst there was absolutely no malice on behalf of Mrs Jackson, her failure to judge the situation accurately resulted in her being responsible for this fatal collision.
“It is vital that all road users are always alert to the possibility of a motorbike travelling along the stretch of road and that such manoeuvres should only be undertaken if there is sufficient time and space to allow it.
“This case tragically illustrates the potential result if a driver gets that decision wrong.”
Janet Jackson was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work.
She was also disqualified from driving for 15 months. However, she voluntarily surrendered her driving licence following the incident.
