A Go Bus driver who was carrying 19 Bethlehem College
students when he collided with a ute on State Highway 2 has
been convicted of careless driving and discharged.
Ivan Frederick Boyle, 75, of Gate Pa, who earlier pleaded
guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in
relation to the December 6 crash, was sentenced by Tauranga
Community Magistrate Jack Best yesterday.
Boyle's lawyer Tony Balme told the court that the Whakamarama
intersection was a notorious crash site, and pulling out of
Barretts Rd was long recognised as a difficult manoeuvre due
to poor visibility.
Since the crash the bus route has been changed and drivers
could no longer make a right turn. Mr Boyle, who had an
otherwise unblemished driving record, had signed up to a
defensive driving course, Mr Balme said.
Mr Best, who noted Boyle was the only one injured in the
crash, said no further penalty was needed.
- Bay of Plenty Times
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