A driver caught on camera as he twice swerved wildly in front of another driver on the M6 near Penrith has been handed a year-long ban from the road.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard how 54-year-old Wayne Ayers’ conduct behind the wheel of a Mini was flagged up as part of a nationwide safety initiative known as Operation Snap.
Through this, police request video footage and photographic evidence of alleged illegal driving. This is then analysed to determine whether offences have been committed.
In response to this campaign, a man submitted video footage from his Tesla vehicle as it travelled north on the M6 close to Junction 41 just before 12.30pm on May 25 last year.
This captured Ayers’ Mini overtaking the Tesla, pulling sharply in front of the other vehicle and then braking. This, said prosecutor George Shelley, forced the Mini driver to take avoiding action.
The Mini returned to lane one before overtaking the Tesla, prompting Ayers to overtake again before, said Mr Shelley, cutting back in front of the Mini driver.
Dash cam footage from Ayers’ vehicle was also played in court after he had admitted a dangerous driving charge. Mr Shelley suggested the offences amounted to essentially showing off on a busy road.
However, Megan Tollitt, defending, said it had been a short-lived incident with Ayers describing some level of provocation from the driver of the Tesla in the form of gesticulation before the danger driving took place. Ms Tollitt told of Ayers’ personal and medical difficulties, and the likely adverse impact of a driving ban.
Ayers, of Warrenden Road, Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire, was handed a community order comprising a four-week electronically monitored night time curfew, and told to complete a 12-month driving ban and extended re-test.
A Cumbria police spokesman said after the sentencing: “Making the roads of Cumbria safer is a key priority for us. Operation Snap enables officers to see the types of behaviour that go on when dangerous drivers feel they are not under the scrutiny of a police officer.
“Operation Snap allows the public to be our eyes and submit footage of road related offences they see. Such incidents of dangerous overtakes, near misses and ‘road rage’ can now be uploaded directly to officers and we can use this information to educate or prosecute drivers.
“If you think you’ve witnessed a traffic offence, or captured dashcam footage, we’d like to hear from you.”
To make a report, visit https://www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it/reporting-road-safety-concerns
