Collided with bicycle

A NEWTOWNSTEWART motorist who collided with a bicycle, claimed she did not realise she was obliged to report the incident to police even though she had stopped to see whether the cyclist was injured and offered to pay for any damage caused.

Bridgeen Drumm (24) of Sessiagh Road admitted charges of driving without due care and attention and failing to remain and failing to report an injury accident.

She had five penalty points endorsed on her driving licence and was fined £300 when she appeared before Omagh Magistrates Court.

The incident happened on the Gortin Road outside Omagh on August 26 last year. The court was told a cyclist and his friend were riding along the cycle lane and footpath when a stationary car at gates moved off and collided with the bicycle. The driver, Drumm, stopped and tried to help the cyclist and offered money towards any damage caused. The cyclist later contacted police and reported the car’s registration.

Drumm told police she was unaware that she was obliged to report the accident and said it had been a complete mistake that she did not see the bicycles as she moved off. There were no injuries caused and a bicycle was damaged. She had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Michael Fahy said his client had failed to look left. He added that damage was caused to the cog and gear system of the bicycle and she offered money and “made sure he was okay”.

Mr Fahy stated, “It was not a case of not stopping and driving on. She made a full admission.”

District Judge Peter Prenter gave the defendant credit for how she dealt with the case.

He said, “She accepted her guilt when asked by police. While it was not a great piece of driving, it sounds like it was not a heavy collision and there was slight damage to the bicycle.”